Eco-friendly Italians keen to boost their recycling performance will soon receive a helping hand in the shape of a label guaranteeing a product's biodegradability.
The Italian Consortium of Composters (CIC) has designed a scheme that will certify biodegradable products able to fully disintegrate within 90 days.
"Once firms have asked us to certify their goods, the mark will appear on items for sale within four to five months," explained CIC President Leonardo Ghermandi.
Speaking at the presentation of the label, "Compostibile CIC", he explained that a good many items that are already 100% biodegradable are not being effectively recycled owing to consumer uncertainty.
Degradable plastics are currently used in a variety of grocery bags, plates, cups and cutlery. But the majority of the Italian public is unaware these items break down completely, meaning they can safely be added to organic waste containers and then used to make compost.
The consortium hopes that the label will educate members of the public, giving them confidence to recycle more materials successfully.
"This initiative is fully backed by the Environment Ministry, not only for its economic benefits but also because of the symbolic value it has for consumers, who will know the product can be reused," said Environment Undersecretary Gianni Piatti.
There are currently two kinds of degradable plastic, which break down under certain conditions or after a fixed length of time.
Photodegradable plastics, which break down when exposed to sunlight, will not be included in the scheme, as once they are mixed in with other materials away from light, they are unable to degrade.
Instead the consortium will certify biodegradable plastics, which contain a small percentage of non oil-based material, such as corn starch.
In addition to helping the environment and cutting back on unsightly litter, biodegradable products save public money by reducing the quantity of landfill.
In some countries, such as Austria and Sweden, biodegradable plastics have been used very successfully for a number of years. McDonalds, for example, has been using biodegradable cutlery for three years, meaning that all catering waste can be composted without segregation.
Daniele Fortini, president of the environmental federation Federambiente, highlighted the importance of educating Italian industry and the public on the benefits for all parties.
"I really hope this label becomes familiar in coming years," he said. "As things currently stand, we are not on track to meet the target of eliminating all plastic grocery bags by 2010".
Farmers association Coldiretti is equally keen to promote the project.
"There is complete support for the certification method being used, and as farmers, this project interests us on two levels," said Coldiretti spokesperson Francesco Ciancaleoni.
"Firstly, we are involved as the end users, because we bury the plastics in compost. Secondly, we are the suppliers of starch products used to manufacture biodegradable plastics, such as wheat, corn and potatoes".
According to CIC, organic matter makes up at least 30% of urban waste produced each year in Italy - over 30 million tonnes.
The most recent report by National Environment Agency APAT showed that Italy recycles just 24% of its garbage, a long way off its target of 35%.
The report pinned the blame on the south, which recycles 8% of its waste, compared to 19% in central Italy and 38% in the north.
