Methodology for the Assessment of Bioplastic Feedstocks

The Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA) methodology establishes a two-tier screening process—Executive Level and Survey Level—to evaluate biobased plastic feedstocks across 13 environmental and social indicators. The tool aims to decouple plastic production from fossil fuels while mitigating risks related to biodiversity loss, food security, and human rights. It emphasizes regional specificity, climate resilience, and the use of science-based indicators to identify trade-offs and mitigation strategies for both traditional agricultural and novel feedstocks.

• The BFA methodology employs a two-tier assessment system: an Executive Level Screening (ELS) for high-level risk identification and a 'GO/NO GO' decision, and a Survey Level Screening for in-depth analysis using 13 indicator data sheets.
• The methodology evaluates feedstocks across 13 specific indicators divided into environmental (ecosystem services, biodiversity, chemical use, residues/waste, GHG emissions, land use change, soil management, and water management) and social (food security, legal production, local/Indigenous communities, occupational health, and labor rights) categories.
• An 'optimal biobased plastic feedstock' is defined by five goals: legal and ethical sourcing, sustainable management of renewable biomass, no adverse impact on food security or ecosystem services, no destruction of critical ecosystems or high conservation value habitats, and contribution to landscape resilience against climate change.
• The assessment scope is limited to the period from land use change to initial processing; it explicitly excludes manufacturing processes, product use, and end-of-life impacts.
• The methodology is designed to be applicable to both traditional agricultural feedstocks (e.g., sugarcane, corn) and novel feedstocks, including algae, crop residues, tall oil, and CO2 capture and utilization.
• GHG emissions are assessed from 'cradle to factory gate' to allow for comparison with fossil alternatives, though the BFA notes that final product decisions must be based on full life-cycle emissions including end-of-life.
• The methodology stresses that there is no universal list of 'sustainable' feedstocks because performance varies significantly based on regional agronomic and climatic conditions such as soil type and rainfall.
• The framework requires that any feedstock production avoid the conversion of natural ecosystems, including forests, peatlands, wetlands, and grasslands, to prevent biodiversity loss and carbon sink destruction.
• Social safeguards emphasize the necessity of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for land acquisition involving Indigenous peoples and local communities to prevent displacement and respect customary rights.

APA

Simon, E., Grabowski, A., Goldberg, K., Kuhn, D., & Zeuner, J. L. (2022). Methodology for the Assessment of Bioplastic Feedstocks. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/561/8vaykm2tn1_2022_BFA_Methodology.pdf

Chicago

Simon, Erin, Alix Grabowski, Kori Goldberg, David Kuhn, and Jessica LaMay Zeuner. Methodology for the Assessment of Bioplastic Feedstocks. WWF International, 2022. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/561/8vaykm2tn1_2022_BFA_Methodology.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Simon |first1=Erin |last2=Grabowski |first2=Alix |last3=Goldberg |first3=Kori |last4=Kuhn |first4=David |last5=Zeuner |first5=Jessica LaMay |title=Methodology for the Assessment of Bioplastic Feedstocks |publisher=WWF International |date=February 2022 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/561/8vaykm2tn1_2022_BFA_Methodology.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{simon2022methodology, author = {Simon, Erin and Grabowski, Alix and Goldberg, Kori and Kuhn, David and Zeuner, Jessica LaMay}, title = {{Methodology for the Assessment of Bioplastic Feedstocks}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2022}, month = feb, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/561/8vaykm2tn1_2022_BFA_Methodology.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }