Why is the Compostability of the bioPoncho No Longer EN13432 Certified?
Our bioPoncho has been consistently certified by TÜV Austria since its invention in 2013. We have not changed the formulation since then. It continues to be produced without petroleum from renewable raw materials and is industrially compostable after multiple uses.
In recent years, the use of disposable products made from bioplastics has increased significantly. Bioplastic is made from renewable raw materials and is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic. Some types of bioplastics are also compostable, meaning they can be broken down in industrial composting facilities.
However, in 2018, the European Commission decided that disposable products made from compostable bioplastic are no longer considered environmentally friendly and thus will no longer be certified. The decision is part of the EU strategy to reduce plastic waste and aims to contribute to reducing the use of single-use plastics overall and promote the transition to a circular economy.
Compostable disposable products made from bioplastic can only be fully broken down in industrial composting facilities. These facilities have an interest in quickly processing materials, and the decomposition process of bioplastic takes longer compared to other organic materials.
The European Commission’s decision to no longer certify disposable products made from compostable bioplastic aims to raise awareness among consumers and reduce the use of disposable products overall. Furthermore, the decision is intended to encourage bioplastic manufacturers to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.
However, it remains to be seen how manufacturers and consumers will react to this decision and whether it will actually lead to a reduction in the use of disposable products. Ultimately, it is up to all of us to rethink our consumption habits and choose more sustainable alternatives to protect the environment. Therefore, we are trying everything to further advance the circular economy with recycled ponchos. It’s still a long way to go, but we’ve been on this path since our founding in 2013.
