GO!PHA Policy Brief on the USDA Policy Summit on Jump Starting the Biobased, Biodegradable and Compostable Materials (BBM or Bioplastics) Industry

The USDA Policy Summit, held on September 27, 2024, provided a crucial platform for discussing the future of bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable materials (BBMs) as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. GO!PHA actively participated in the summit, advocating for the accelerated development and adoption of BBMs to mitigate the negative environmental and societal impacts of persistent plastic waste.

During the event, GO!PHA emphasized that while global efforts have focused on recycling, bans, and improving waste management, the transition to BBMs requires more than just applying plastic-focused regulations to alternatives. GO!PHA called for clear distinctions between BBMs and conventional plastics, warning that treating them similarly stifles innovation and delays the adoption of these promising materials.

GO!PHA outlined four critical pillars for promoting BBMs: ensuring their renewable origins, maintaining high functionality comparable to plastics, minimizing environmental impact, and guaranteeing safety throughout their lifecycle. The organization underscored the need for science-based assessments and targeted policies that consider BBMs' unique benefits, advocating for research and tailored regulations that would encourage investment, innovation, and commercialization.

This summit highlighted the importance of global collaboration, and GO!PHA remains committed to working with policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to drive the shift toward safe and sustainable material alternatives that support a circular economy.