Ignacy Jakubowicz
SP Technical Research Institute, Sweden
Title: How to make “green†plastics “greenerâ€
Biography
Biography: Ignacy Jakubowicz
Abstract
The driving forces behind the last two decades of research and development of bioplastics and biocomposites are tightening legislation and regulations, increasing consumer demands, significant price increases of fossil based materials, unwanted dependence on fossil resources and unstable oil prices. However, the introduction of life cycle assessments (LCA) and systems analysis throughout the production, use and Cradle to Cradle® design concept makes it necessary to ultimately guarantee their sustainability as suitable alternatives to traditional plastics and composites. In order to maximize the effective use of “green” plastics, it is important to prepare for their recycling through a suitable labelling and recycling system and initiatives to increase public awareness and education. Another important issue is to develop technologically viable, effective, efficient and economical recovery systems and end markets for post-consumer bio-based materials without jeopardizing the existing conventional recycling systems.