BIOPLASTICS VS TRADITIONAL MATERIALS: RETHINKING IMPACT FOR SMARTER SUSTAINABLE CHOICES
On 25 March, the webinar “Bioplastics and sustainable production: impact assessment and development prospects” brougt together representatives of business, government, academia, the expert community, and civil society around the topic of sustainable materials and industrial transformation.
The speaker of the event, Oleksandr Khokhotva, Doctor of Technical Sciences and expert in chemical management, provided participants with a comprehensive overview of modern approaches to the development, assessment, and implementation of bioplastics.
The webinar focused on current approaches to the development and use of materials in the context of green chemistry and the circular economy. Participants explored in detail the key differences between conventional plastics and bioplastics, including distinctions between bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable materials, as well as their real advantages and limitations.
Special attention was given to environmental impact assessment using the life cycle approach (LCA), which enables an objective comparison of the environmental performance of bioplastics and traditional polymer materials.
Participants also learned about the main types of bioplastics, their feedstock base, production technologies, and application areas—from packaging to medical uses. In addition, modern recycling approaches were discussed, including mechanical, chemical, and biological recycling.
The discussion also focused on:
- Practical cases of bioplastics implementation across different industries;
- Approaches to material selection in line with sustainable development principles;
- Current regulatory and strategic trends, including requirements for ecodesign, extended producer responsibility, and the development of secondary raw materials markets.
A key point of debate was the dilemma of priorities: whether material biodegradability in line with green chemistry principles should take precedence over recyclability within the circular economy framework.
During the webinar, participants also gained insights into practical tools for assessing the feasibility of using bioplastics in specific products, supporting more informed decision-making in sustainable production.
The event was open to a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of industrial enterprises, central and local authorities, business associations, expert and civil society organizations, as well as educational and research institutions.
The webinar confirmed strong interest in bioplastics as an important element of the transition to RECP and circular economy, as well as the importance of a comprehensive approach to assessing their environmental impact.
More than 80 participants joined the event, 75% of whom were women.
The recording of the webinar can be reached out here.
Organizers
The Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre in partnership with the Yale Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering (USA), within the UNIDO project Global GreenChem Innovation and Network Programme, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
