THE Natural Polymers Group recently led a parliamentary event in Westminster designed to ramp up support for British businesses developing alternative solutions to single-use plastic packaging.
The group comprises of seven different innovators who develop natural, biodegradable alternatives in an effort to tackle plastic waste.
Natural polymers are created in nature, not chemically modified, and explicitly excluded from the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) and REACH definition of ‘plastic’. Despite being fully biodegradable, compostable and scalable, the group revealed that some UK regulations do not yet recognise their advantages.
More than a dozen MPs, peers and civil servants joined the event, where companies including Xampla, plantsea, Notpla and MarinaTex showcased their products.
Policymakers heard about the opportunity to develop some 35,000 skilled green jobs across the UK.
Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said, “This exciting industry is leading the way to tackle the global plastic crisis and has huge potential. Developing nature-based solutions to this challenge will not only help us realise our net zero goals but can also create well-paid, highly skilled jobs in Ely and East Cambridgeshire and across the UK. For too long, policymakers have focused simply on recycling plastic, but this growing community of innovators shows just what can be achieved when we set out to replace it altogether.”
Assheton Carter, chair of the Natural Polymers Group, commented, “Great to see members of the Natural Polymers Group engaging with MPs, peers and civil servants in Westminster, on how to accelerate the adoption of natural polymers as credible, mainstream alternatives to plastic. As chair of the Natural Polymers Group secretariat, I welcome these constructive discussions taking place between innovators, industry and policymakers to help ensure regulation evolves in step with progress across the sector.”
Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla and Natural Polymers Group UK regulatory lead, added, “Natural polymers are a practical, natural alternative to plastic, and will be vital as we look to transition away from fossil-fuel based alternatives. By working in partnership with policymakers, we can accelerate the transition of this innovative technology and create real-world impact; creating economic growth for the UK and reducing plastic pollution at source.”
