Businesses are turning to bio‐based, compostable plastic packaging as a circular economy solution to global plastic pollution. However, there is a lack of proper waste management systems for collection and processing. Through an international research initiative, a social innovation lab was undertaken in Brazil, Canada, Poland and the United Kingdom to understand and address key barriers in closing the bio‐based plastic packaging loop. Based upon a qualitative data set of 100 stakeholder interviews and three phases of workshop activities in each country, a grounded model was generated to illustrate how competing views and actions are inhibiting a circular system for bio‐based plastic packaging. Key issues were the lack of end‐of‐life processing infrastructure, contamination in processing facilities and absent or ineffective regulation. A systemic approach that includes shared responsibility for infrastructure, simplified packaging design and materials and equitable regulation to reduce susceptibility to greenwashing can improve collaboration to meet circular goals.

中文翻译：

---

相互竞争的叙事阻碍了生物基塑料包装的循环经济：来自巴西、加拿大、波兰和英国社会创新实验室研究的见解


企业正在转向生物基、可堆肥塑料包装，作为解决全球塑料污染的循环经济解决方案。然而，缺乏适当的废物收集和处理管理系统。通过一项国际研究计划，在巴西、加拿大、波兰和英国开展了一个社会创新实验室，以了解和解决关闭生物基塑料包装循环的主要障碍。根据 100 名利益相关者访谈和每个国家/地区的三个阶段研讨会活动的定性数据集，生成了一个扎根模型，以说明相互竞争的观点和行动如何抑制生物基塑料包装的循环系统。关键问题是缺乏报废的加工基础设施、加工设施的污染以及监管缺失或无效。系统性的方法包括对基础设施的共同责任、简化的包装设计和材料以及公平监管以减少漂绿的敏感性，可以改善协作以实现循环目标。