Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has conducted into oxo-degradable plastics and their inclusion in Scotland's single-use plastic ban.
The Scottish Government is committed to align with or exceed the standards of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive including banning oxo-degradable plastics under Article 5 of that Directive.
Oxo-degradable plastics were included in the suite of impact assessments performed for the creation of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.
However, this is an area of significant complexity and rapid change and it is important that we make a decision based on the most up to date information.
Therefore, we have commissioned James Hutton Institute to undertake further analysis to demonstrate environmental impact of oxo-biodegradable products. This research is expected to be completed shortly and will help inform the scope of the planned ban on oxo-degradable plastic products in Scotland.