Ingeo News: September 2024

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Italy’s Success with Compostable Plastics in Organics Recycling

Italian municipalities have committed to source separated organics collection and compostable plastics are integrated into many programs. According to Italy’s National Waste Legislation, compostable plastics, including bioplastic carrier bags, fruit and vegetable packaging, plates, glasses, and disposable tableware made of compostable material, can be collected with food waste only if they are certified according to the European harmonized standard UNI-EN-13432. Biorepack and CIC have established a national survey program involving around 700 waste composition analyses per annum to continuously assess the amounts of compostable plastics and contaminants collected within food waste collection. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the effectiveness of compostable plastic recycling, ensuring that the materials collected do not compromise the quality of the compost produced. By adhering to the stringent UNI-EN-13432 standard, Italy aims to maintain high recycling rates and minimize contamination in composting processes, supporting both environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Read the Article

A Big Idea

Authentic Communication for a True Circular Economy

In a recent New York Times article titled, “Is Your Water Bottle Really Made From Recycled Plastic?”, the concept of mass balance accounting is critically examined. As efforts are made to curb greenwashing and foster more transparent communication with consumers, attention to authenticity will bring the economy closer to achieving true circularity. Read the Article

Click of the Month

The Future of Biobased + Sustainable Building

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and University of Maine 3D printed floor panels with an Ingeo PLA composite and they're strong enough to replace steel. The project is part of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies (SM2ART) program and can potentially make multistory buildings more sustainable. Read the Article

Quick Hits

Entec and NatureWorks Distribution Partnership

Entec Polymers Mexico and Entec Polymers Argentina, leaders in the marketing of thermoplastic and engineering resins, have become official distributors of NatureWorks PLA products, under the Ingeo brand. Read more.

Jamplast Launches 3DSHQ

Jamplast has embarked on an exciting new venture by launching 3DSHQ, a dedicated business unit focused on additive manufacturing. They are collaborating with NatureWorks to distribute Ingeo PLA to meet the needs of their customers. Read more.

Design for Compostability Playbook | US Plastics Pact

The latest playbook from the US Plastics Pact is a guide for decision making on compostable products to encourage alignment of items brought to market with the developing organics collection and processing system in the US. Read more.

What We're Reading

Upcoming Events

BPI Summit 2024 | September 10 - 12 | Berkley, CA
NatureWorks' Becky Brooks will join the panel, "Trusting Compostable Products to Break Down, Part 1: What Tests in the Lab and Field Tell Us" and Joe Schroeder will join the presentation, "Tackling Microplastics in Compost" on Wednesday, September 11th

AMI Bioplastics Conference |September 17 - 18 | Cincinnati, OH
NatureWorks will present, "PLA for the Circular Economy" at this event on September 17th.

AMI Single-Serve Capsules | September 30 - October 2
NatureWorks’ Celmira Sousa and Viviana Conti will present, "PPWR - Unwrapping and assessing the future opportunities for compostable plastics applications," at this event..

SPC Advance | September 30 - October 2 | Chicago, IL
NatureWorks' Leah Ford will present, "Sharing a New Value Proposition for Compostable Packaging," at this event.



Stay up-to-date with where NatureWorks will be on our News & Events page