The complex role of single-use compostable bioplastic food packaging and foodservice ware in a circular economy: Findings from a social innovation lab

Compostable bioplastic food packaging and foodservice ware is gaining traction as an alternative to petroleum -based plastics and is being considered within institutional and corporate sustainability strategies. However, com-postable bioplastics present their own complex challenges and limitations to sustainability across their lifecycle and may in some cases hinder sustainable waste management practices, and therefore the development of a cir-cular economy. Applying a social innovation lab methodological approach, this research explored the challenges and opportunities of compostable bioplastic food packaging and foodservice ware in promoting sustainable pro-duction and consumption from a systems perspective. This study draws upon the findings from key informant interviews (n = 28) and three social innovation workshops on seeing the system (n = 27), designing solu-tions (n = 23), and prototyping (n = 22) with diverse stakeholders from across the food and packaging sector in Canada and some in the United States, as well as with policymakers across different levels of government. Results from the workshop and interviews identified regulatory and infrastructural issues as well as confusion because of the lack of clear standards in the country. Concerns were also raised around the source of compostable bioplastic feedstock, and whether single-use compostable bioplastic truly supported a circular food economy. The findings from this research brought forward recommendations for improving the sustainability and source of compostable bioplastic feedstocks; standards and regulations; explored waste management options such as ex-tended producer responsibility; and addressed the need to focus on single-use item reduction more broadly, as a challenge to the dominant take, make, and dispose model.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Institution of Chemical Engineers. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

Compostable bioplastic food packaging and foodservice ware are viewed as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics in promoting sustainability. However, there are challenges and opportunities associated with these bioplastics. The lack of clear standards, concerns about the source of compostable bioplastic feedstock, and the compatibility with a circular food economy were identified as key issues. Recommendations include improving the sustainability and source of compostable bioplastic feedstocks, establishing standards and regulations, exploring waste management options, and focusing on reducing single-use items.