The EU Plastics Strategy aims for a circular plastics economy where plastic materials are kept in the loop as long as possible by promoting reuse and repair, remanufacturing, recycling and prevention of plastic waste. The new Circular Economy Action Plan adds that a policy framework on the use of biodegradable plastics (amongst others) will be developed (foreseen for 2022), based on an assessment of the applications where such use can be beneficial to the environment.
In this framework, Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd and its partners, Deloitte and ENT will present you the result of the study on “ Conventional and Biodegradable Plastics in Agriculture”, prepared for DG Environment of the European Commission.
This study quantifies current levels of consumption, separate collection and flows through different end-of-life management routes of each category of agri-plastics in the EU. The problem drivers associated with improper collection, low reuse and recycling of conventional agri-plastics are analysed. A similar analysis is done for biodegradable agri-plastics. The study then formulates policy recommendations. In general, the choice between the use of conventional and biodegradable plastics in agriculture will depend upon the local collection situation and the grower’s requirements.
SPEAKERS
Eunomia is an independent consultancy dedicated to helping our clients to achieve better environmental and commercial outcomes.
Simon specialises in applying Life Cycle Thinking wherever a full understanding of how a product or process affects its environment may be needed.
Applications range from a carbon footprint of a local authority recycling system to a full environmental assessment of a product. This work is critical to how diverse activities can contribute to our evolution into a society that embraces a Circular Economy. Much of Simon’s work is linked to how we can make this transition by keeping materials and resources within our technosphere.
Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, we ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative, and competitive, while guaranteeing food security for 500 million people throughout Europe. Copa and Cogeca strive to deliver the type of agricultural products that EU citizens expect and demand, with a market-oriented agriculture that provides the highest level of food safety, sustainability, plant and animal health, and welfare standards.
Dr. Birgitte Kjær represents Copa-Cogeca in the Agriculture working group of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA) The CPA is a joined initiative from the European Commission (DG Grow) and the Plastics Industry.
Birgitte Kjær is Chief Policy Adviser in environment and sustainability at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.
With more than 25 years of experience within the environmental field, as a policy maker, consultant and researcher, her main work areas have been circular economy, waste management, environmental regulations of industry and sustainable consumption and production. Her work in the waste field has focused on waste prevention, food waste, plastic waste, packaging waste, and recycling of waste. She has provided specialised knowledge and capacity building of circular economy solutions at both national and global level.
Birgitte Kjær holds a Master of Science (Agronomics) and a Ph.D. in genetics and statistics from the University of Copenhagen.
Dr. Birgitte Kjær
Rethink Plastic is an alliance of leading European NGOs with one vision: a future that is free from plastic pollution. Our members include Carbon Market Watch, CIEL, ClientEarth, ECOS, EEB, Environment Investigation Agency, Greenpeace, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe and Zero Waste Europe. We are supporting the creation and strengthening of EU legislation in order to minimise the harmful effects of plastic, all along the value chain.
Lauren Weir is an Ocean Campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency, with a specific focus on policy within the UK and EU region. She holds an MSci in Palaeobiology from University College London and an Msc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She joined EIA in 2021, having previously worked in climate change and marine conservation research and advocacy roles.
Environmental Investigation Agency investigate and campaign against environmental crime and abuse. Our undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime, with a focus on elephants and tigers, and
forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops like palm oil. We work to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, bycatch and commercial
exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Finally, we reduce the impact of climate change by campaigning to eliminate powerful refrigerant greenhouse gases, exposing related illicit trade and improving
energy efficiency in the cooling sector.
Lauren Weir
APE Europe is a professional association bringing together companies and organizations involved in agri-plastics.
President of APE Europe, Bernard Le Moine is also general manager of CPA (French Committee for Plastics in Agriculture) and general secretary of the CIPA (International Committee for Plastics in Agriculture) , both acting in the promoting of plasticulture and the management of national collecting schemes of used agri-plastics.
Bernard is coordinating the Agriculture working group of the Circular Plastics Alliance, a joined initiative from the European Commission (DG Grow) and the Plastics Industry with the objective to integrate 10 M tonnes of post-consumer granules into new products.
Bernard has received masters’ degrees in political science at the University of Toulouse and in marketing in Aix-en-Provence, France.
He has 30 years experiences in the US and Europe, in general management, sales and marketing in corrugated board packaging, fertilizers and plasticulture industries.
For 15 years now, Bernard is involved in agri-waste management and the establishment of National Collection Schemes in Europe.
Bernard is director of publication of the magazine “Plasticulture”.
Bernard Le Moine
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
As part of this work, FAO is leading the transformation towards sustainable agri‑food systems. The use of agricultural plastics has delivered benefits including improved yields, reduced water use, reduced food loss and waste. It has helped farmers to adapt to climate change as their land becomes more arid or is subject to weather events. However, we have learned that it can also cause irreparable damage to the long-term viability of soils, pollution of our waters, and harm to animal and human health. FAO will shortly publish its global assessment of agricultural plastics and sustainability, including recommendations to policy makers. This presentation will highlight the key messages of this assessment.
Lev Neretin, Environment workstream lead at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has over 15 years of experience in environmental science, policy-making and management, including work for UNEP, Global Environment Facility (GEF), and UNDP. Before joining FAO, he served as Senior Coordinator of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan, a multilateral mechanism for regional cooperation on maritime issues between Japan, R. Korea, P.R. China and the Russian Federation. From 2008 until 2016, he was with the GEF’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel providing science and technology advice on GEF’s projects, programs and operations. When serving as GEF Task Manager for the Russian Federation and Central Asia in 2005-2008, he was responsible for the implementation of UNEP-Russia Partnership, working on circumpolar Arctic issues and GEF portfolio expansion in the region. From 1997 to 2005, he held joint Research Scientist position at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in Germany. Mr. Neretin, national of the Russian Federation and Germany, has PhD in Oceanography from the Russian Academy of Sciences and MA in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Lev Neretin
The MINAGRIS project will assess the impact of plastic debris in agricultural soils on biodiversity, plant productivity and ecosystem services and their transport and degradation in the environment. We will provide tools and recommendations for sustainable use of plastic in agriculture at the farm and field levels for ensuring safe and economically viable food systems in Europe.
PAPILLONS aims at producing knowledge to inform the innovation agendas of farmers, industry and policy in Europe andbeyond. We aim to support and positively impact the European chemical regulation (with regards to the use of plastics in agriculture) and the reform of the European Common Agricultural Policy.
Luca Nizzetto, representing the research projects PAPILLONS: Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability.
MIcro- and NAno-Plastics in AGRIricultural Soils
Luca Nizzeto
Followed by Q & A. Conference will be held in english.
To be registered to the conference, please fill out the form below.
Eunomia is an independent consultancy dedicated to helping our clients to achieve better environmental and commercial outcomes.
Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, we ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative, and competitive, while guaranteeing food security for 500 million people throughout Europe. Copa and Cogeca strive to deliver the type of agricultural products that EU citizens expect and demand, with a market-oriented agriculture that provides the highest level of food safety, sustainability, plant and animal health, and welfare standards.
Towards a future free from plastic pollution.
Rethink Plastic is an alliance of leading European NGOs, representing thousands of active groups, supporters and citizens in every EU Member State. We are part of the global Break Free From Plastic movement, consisting of over 2000 groups and millions of citizens worldwide.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
APE Europe is the non-packaging plastics products’ association for agriculture. APE is acting for a sustainable, profitable production, and a reliable agri-plastics’ end of life management.
Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability
PAPILLONS aims at producing knowledge to inform the innovation agendas of farmers, industry and policy in Europe andbeyond. We aim to support and positively impact the European chemical regulation (with regards to the use of plastics in agriculture) and the reform of the European Common Agricultural Policy.
The MINAGRIS project will assess the impact of plastic debris in agricultural soils on biodiversity, plant productivity and ecosystem services and their transport and degradation in the environment. We will provide tools and recommendations for sustainable use of plastic in agriculture at the farm and field levels for ensuring safe and economically viable food systems in Europe.
