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Peer-reviewedCC BYRecycling

Bioplastics Beyond Materials: A Review on Regulatory, Economic, and Circular Pathways Toward Sustainable Food Packaging

  • Cristian Miguel Fuentes Mera1
  • Carlos Arturo Raymundo Ibañez2
  • Hafiz Usman Ghani3
  • Jose Martin Ramos-Diaz4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Programa de Doctorado en Ingeniería Agroindustrial, Universidad Nacional del Santa, Nuevo Chimbote 02712, Peru
  2. 2Research and Development Laboratory in Emerging Technologies, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Lima 15023, Peru
  3. 3Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
  4. 4Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Humppilantie 7, 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
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Abstract

The transition from fossil-based plastics to bioplastics in food packaging requires not only technological advances but also coherent regulatory frameworks and economic support mechanisms. This review examines how policies, production costs, and industrial initiatives shape the large-scale adoption of biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and starch-based materials. The regulatory comparison indicates substantial differences in legal scope and implementation across jurisdictions, while also showing that the existence of binding legislation does not by itself demonstrate bioplastic-specific circular-performance outcomes. Although the high production cost of bioplastics remains a major barrier to widespread implementation, strategies including agricultural residue valorization and green fiscal instruments may contribute to improving competitiveness. Overall, the evidence reviewed suggests that the transition toward sustainable food packaging depends on the combined development of material performance, regulatory coherence, industrial integration, and life-cycle accountability, highlighting the need for greater coordination across these dimensions.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{mera2026bioplastics,
  title = {{Bioplastics Beyond Materials: A Review on Regulatory, Economic, and Circular Pathways Toward Sustainable Food Packaging}},
  author = {Cristian Miguel Fuentes Mera and Carlos Arturo Raymundo Ibañez and Hafiz Usman Ghani and Jose Martin Ramos-Diaz},
  journal = {Recycling},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/recycling11100187},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling11100187},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Bioplastics Beyond Materials: A Review on Regulatory, Economic, and Circular Pathways Toward Sustainable Food Packaging
AU  - Cristian Miguel Fuentes Mera
AU  - Carlos Arturo Raymundo Ibañez
AU  - Hafiz Usman Ghani
AU  - Jose Martin Ramos-Diaz
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Recycling
DO  - 10.3390/recycling11100187
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling11100187
AB  - The transition from fossil-based plastics to bioplastics in food packaging requires not only technological advances but also coherent regulatory frameworks and economic support mechanisms. This review examines how policies, production costs, and industrial initiatives shape the large-scale adoption of biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and starch-based materials. The regulatory comparison indicates substantial differences in legal scope and implementation across jurisdictions, while also showing that the existence of binding legislation does not by itself demonstrate bioplastic-specific circular-performance outcomes. Although the high production cost of bioplastics remains a major barrier to widespread implementation, strategies including agricultural residue valorization and green fiscal instruments may contribute to improving competitiveness. Overall, the evidence reviewed suggests that the transition toward sustainable food packaging depends on the combined development of material performance, regulatory coherence, industrial integration, and life-cycle accountability, highlighting the need for greater coordination across these dimensions.
SN  - 2313-4321
ER  -