Beyond Plastic and the Future of PHA Technology: A Step Towards Sustainable Innovation

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's 2023 Global Commitment report offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of plastic end-of-life (EOL) solutions, emphasizing the importance of adopting reusable packaging, recycling, and composting (RRC). It reveals a sobering reality:  the global progress in recycling has taken a step back, with an overall reduction of 1.1% in recycled materials.  Additionally, the global acceptance of composting as a viable solution to deal with plastic packaging remains at 0%.

This setback underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions in sustainable materials, which is where Beyond Plastic's PHA technology shines.

The Recycling Conundrum

One of the most perplexing findings is the claim by major consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, asserting that 99% of their packaging uses recyclable materials. Given that only 29% of all plastics are recycled, it raises the question: where are these companies sourcing these materials? The disparity suggests that much of what is claimed as "recyclable" may not be recycled in practice, highlighting the gap between potential recyclability and actual recycling rates. This disparity is often referred to as "wishcycling."

The Composting Challenge

While recycling faces its challenges, composting as an alternative solution is nearly non-existent for plastics. Composting facilities are unable to distinguish petrol-based "bioplastics" from materials needing specific industrial composting conditions. These bioplastics simply do not break down in generic composting environments, leaving a significant gap in sustainable disposal methods. This is where Beyond Plastic's PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) technology offers a game-changing solution, as PHA is compostable in all conditions.

The Overlooked Question in the Report

What happens if a product that isn’t reused, recycled, or compostable ends up in the environment? It's estimated that 9% of our current plastics are "mismanaged" and leak into our ecosystem, accumulating in our oceans, waterways, and lakes. These plastics break down into billions of toxic microplastics, posing significant environmental threats. In contrast, 100% certified PHA products address all three RRC (Reuse, Recycle, Compost) criteria and offer a unique advantage over petroleum-based plastics: they are naturally biodegradable without
generating toxic microplastics. This is the ultimate fail-safe mechanism our environment desperately needs.

The Promise of PHA Technology

PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) is a biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable alternative to traditional plastics. Beyond Plastic creates fully biodegradable polymers using a revolutionary production process that sources high-quality industrial-grade PHA. Unlike conventional plastics, PHA breaks down in natural environments, including marine settings, without leaving harmful residues. This makes it a viable option for reducing plastic pollution and advancing towards a circular economy.

Beyond Plastic specializes in producing high-quality PHA products, catering to various applications from packaging to 3D printing and other non-food grade applications such as commercial fishing and agricultural solutions. PHA functions as a near-direct replacement for 40% of all current petrol-based plastics such as PP, LDPE, and HDPE.

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our continuous efforts to improve the quality and availability of PHA products, providing consumers and businesses with environmentally friendly alternatives without the need to resort to greenwashing claims.

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Despite the setbacks highlighted in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's report, Beyond Plastic remains dedicated to advancing sustainable material technologies. Our PHA products not only reduce reliance on traditional plastics but also offer a practical solution to the composting dilemma. By promoting the adoption of PHA, we aim to contribute significantly to reducing plastic waste and fostering a more sustainable future, offering the ultimate fail-safe mechanism for our environment.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to join us in our mission to revolutionize the plastic industry with sustainable alternatives. Together, we can bridge the gap between recyclability and actual recycling, and make compostable plastics a reality.

For more detailed insights, you can read the full Ellen MacArthur Foundation's 2023 Global Commitment report here.