Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce plastic waste by supporting investment in bio-wraps such as corn starch.

The Government is committed to tackling plastic pollution and will explore all options to reduce the impact of plastic on our environment.

In April we published our response to the call for evidence on the need for standards for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics. Responses were mixed regarding the contribution of bio-based plastics to a more circular economy, with positive views about potential carbon contrasting with more cautious views about their potential impacts on land-use and waste management.

Further research is required to better understand the trade-offs and environmental impacts associated with generating the feedstocks for bio-based plastics. A key area of interest for the Government is bio-based plastics derived from materials that would otherwise have been waste. We welcome further research on the full environmental impacts of bio-based plastics. You can find out more information at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/standards-for-biodegradable-compostable-and-bio-based-plastics-call-for-evidence