berlin 11 march 2014. last night the european parliament environment committeeclearly voiced its support for decisive steps to reduce the consumption of lightweightplastic carrier bags in europe. european bioplastics supports the outcome of the vote,and the new provisions on biodegradable and compostable plastic carrier bags.françois de bie, chairman of european bioplastics, commented &ldquowe are very glad to seeprovisions that acknowledge the important contribution that biodegradable and compostableplastic bags can make to enhanced biowaste collection across the eu. biodegradable bagsthat are en13432 compliant can help member states to reduce landfilling by diverting biowastefrom landfill to organic recycling. we now call on the council of the european union tosupport the provisions taken up by the parliament and recognise the value that biodegradableplastic bags offer to european society&rdquo.the report exempts very lightweight carrier bags below 10 micron thickness from the scopeof any measures and requires their progressive replacement with biodegradable and compostablebags. it also allows member states with existing separate collection of biowasteto reduce the price of biodegradable and compostable lightweight carrier bags by up to 50percent. 
