We welcome the Commission’s proposal to revise the Directive on waste. Notably, the renewed focus on addressing food waste within this directive reflects a keen awareness of the pressing challenges associated with the intricate nature of food waste management. This revision is an opportunity for the EU to demonstrate a commitment to fostering innovative solutions.

Plastics have had adverse effects on our environment, society, and health, with a staggering 85% of single-use plastic products ending up in landfills or as unregulated waste. It's time to transition from fossil-based and persistent materials to sustainable solutions.
 
To achieve our goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating harmful plastics worldwide, GO!PHA and its members strongly advocate for the inclusion of renewable, biodegradable, and compostable materials in the UN Global Plastics Treaty.

The Working Group Advocacy at GO!PHA responded to the European Commission's public consultation on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904 and repealing Directive 94/62/EC.

Overall, we support the Commission's draft proposal as it highlights waste reduction measures and targets to improve packaging circularity goals complementing the new circular economy action plan.

GO!PHA, in collaboration with other like minded associations provided feedback and recommendation to the European Commission on Section 3.2.1.3 of the Microplastics amendment to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation.

This article is co-written by GO!PHA co-founder Anindya Mukherjee, and it describes the various biotechnology sectors or clusters, their interrelationship, and PHA's place within the Industrial Biotechnology Sector.

The article also highlights the number of applications successfully developed and already using PHA. Read the full volume of the bioplastics MAGAZINE by subscribing here.

GO!PHA notes with great disappointment the inclusion of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in this Directive, which is inconsistent with the law itself and the science.

GO!PHA has written a letter to the European Commission to express serious concerns on the latest version of the “draft guidelines” to Directive (EU) 2019/904 also called the Single-use Plastics Directive.

We believe that natural solutions and materials provide an opportunity to radically change our impact on the planet, without sacrificing quality of life. In our latest White Paper we demonstrate why and how the utilization of PHAs can help to work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

GO!PHA is very concerned about the draft delegated act and Annex I thereto on technical screening criteria, determining under which conditions an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

We believe that the inclusion of PHA in the Guidelines of the SUP Directive seriously undermines the potential of PHA to become a sustainable substitute for many single use applications where fossil fuel-based plastics are currently used. This not only contradicts several EU policy objectives and principles but would also distort trade in violation of WTO rules and put into jeopardy investments made in PHA development and commercialization through various EU and national funds.

Download position paper

On May 19th, 2020, we have sent our third position paper to The European Commission Director General Growth and Director General Research and Innovation on PHA with regard to the Single Use Plastics Directive.

A definition of Natural Polymers is needed that refers to the end stage of the manufacturing process.

Download position paper

GO!PHA requests the European Commission to clarify that PHA produced via the cultivation of microorganisms, and having identical structures and chemical compositions as naturally occurring PHA be classified as Natural Polymers that have not been chemically modified within the scope of the SUP Directive.

Download position paper

GO!PHA, an Industry Organization, representing the PHA Industry and its downstream market participants, requests the European Commission to clarify that PHA produced via the cultivation of microorganisms, and having identical structures and chemical compositions as naturally occurring PHA, are classified as Natural Polymers within the scope of the SUP Directive.

Download position paper