Shaping policy for the future of plant-based plastic

The document advocates for a multifaceted approach to plastic pollution that combines a circular economy with the use of renewable, plant-based feedstocks to replace virgin plastics derived from fossil fuels. It emphasizes that because infinite recycling is impossible, some virgin plastic remains necessary for health and safety standards. To prevent new environmental issues, the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA) urges policymakers to implement sustainability metrics—covering carbon emissions, water use, and impacts on wildlife and communities—to ensure plant-based plastics are responsibly sourced and managed.

• A circular economy alone cannot eliminate the need for virgin plastic because materials cannot be recycled infinitely without losing quality and quantity, and certain industries require virgin plastic for health and safety.
• Plant-based plastics derived from sources such as seaweed and sugar beet offer a sustainable alternative to the 99% of new plastics currently produced from fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change.
• The Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA) advocates for plastic alternative policies grounded in science and the use of sustainability metrics to evaluate production and sourcing, specifically regarding carbon emissions, water use, and impacts on wildlife and communities.

APA

WWF International (2021). Shaping policy for the future of plant-based plastic. https://www.worldwildlife.org/news/perspectives/sustainability-works-hub/sustainability-works-index/shaping-policy-for-the-future-of-plant-based-plastic/

Chicago

WWF International. Shaping policy for the future of plant-based plastic. 2021. https://www.worldwildlife.org/news/perspectives/sustainability-works-hub/sustainability-works-index/shaping-policy-for-the-future-of-plant-based-plastic/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=WWF International |title=Shaping policy for the future of plant-based plastic |date=15 July 2021 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/news/perspectives/sustainability-works-hub/sustainability-works-index/shaping-policy-for-the-future-of-plant-based-plastic/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{wwfinternational2021shaping, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Shaping policy for the future of plant-based plastic}}, publisher = {WWF International}, year = {2021}, month = jul, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/news/perspectives/sustainability-works-hub/sustainability-works-index/shaping-policy-for-the-future-of-plant-based-plastic/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }