Plastics In Italy

This report highlights the trends in the Italian plastics industry over the period 1993-1997.

Bioplastics: A case study of Bioeconomy in Italy provides a no-nonsense case in support of public policies that modify consumption patterns, contribute solving environmental issues while stimulating product and process innovation all along a product’s life-cycle. Analysis of legislation introduced in Italy in 2011 to effectively impose both re-usable, i.e. durable bags, and single-use biodegradable compostable carrier bags details a success story: - consumers have changed their behaviour by cutting down single-use carrier bags by 50%; - biodegradable, compostable carrier bags have substituted the remaining single-use carrier bags, thus triggering further positive effects by becoming: - bio-waste collection containers that favour recycling - communication vehicles by being and carrying appropriate messages. Furthermore this has supported the market uptake of innovative, sustainable niche products thus fostering innovation and development of the bioeconomy.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This volume focuses on microscopic plastic debris, also referred to as microplastics, which have been detected in aquatic environments around the globe and have accordingly raised serious concerns. The book explores whether microplastics represent emerging contaminants in freshwater systems, an area that remains underrepresented to date. Given the complexity of the issue, the book covers the current state-of-research on microplastics in rivers and lakes, including analytical aspects, environmental concentrations and sources, modelling approaches, interactions with biota, and ecological implications. To provide a broader perspective, the book also discusses lessons learned from nanomaterials and the implications of plastic debris for regulation, politics, economy, and society. In a research field that is rapidly evolving, it offers a solid overview for environmental chemists, engineers, and toxicologists, as well as water managers and policy-makers.

In the past 25 years, plastic products have gained universal use not only in food, clothing and shelter, but also in the transportation, construction, medical and leisure industries. Whereas previously synthetic plastics were developed as durable substitute products, increasing concern for the global environment and solid waste management has resulted in an urgent demand for biodegradable plastics. The main topics of the Third International Scientific Workshop were as follows: 1. Biodegradation of polymers and plastics 2. Environmental degradation of plastics 3. Synthesis and properties of new biodegradable plastic materials 4. Biodegradation and morphologies of polymer blends 5. Development of biodegradation test methods 6. Governmental policy, regulation and standards.