In a context of national and international regulations that seek to boost the circular economy and reduce the use of fossil-based plastics, Colombia is positioning itself as a driver of sustainable alternatives by recently starting to implement Law 2232 of 2022, which limits the use of single-use plastics in the country and seeks to opt for environmentally friendly solutions such as biodegradable or compostable plastics.
With the approval of Law 2232 of 2022 on the restriction of single-use plastics, Colombia has made great strides in promoting biodegradable and compostable products and the elimination of single-use plastics. Many countries have adopted stricter legislation in recent years due to concerns about the environmental impacts of conventional fossil-based plastics, leading to a reduction in their use and the promotion of more sustainable alternatives. Colombia is not an isolated case. In this article, we will look at Colombia’s single-use plastic regulations, how they affect international trade and other similar initiatives in Latin America.
Current legislation on single-use plastics in Colombia
Law 2232 of 2022 is the cornerstone of Colombia’s policy for the reduction of single-use plastics. This law establishes measures to phase out certain plastic products and promotes the use of sustainable alternatives. As of 7 July 2024, it has begun to ban the production and commercialisation several single-use plastic products, including plastic bags, straws, mixers and plastic holders for cotton flakes.
The regulation decrees that the change will be gradual, so the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has announced that it will begin restricting the production and marketing of eight products. The government expects that products that today use single-use plastics will be produced entirely from reusable, recyclable or compostable materials by 2030.
Banned and allowed plastic products in Colombia
The law clearly specifies which plastic products will be banned and which will continue to be allowed under certain conditions. Among the banned products are:
- Bags used for packaging, loading or transporting parcels and goods, except reusable bags.
- Bags used for packaging newspapers, magazines, advertisements and invoices.
- Bags used in laundries for packaging washed laundry.
- Rolls of empty bags in commercial surfaces for packing, loading or transporting packages and goods or carrying foodstuffs in bulk, except for raw animal products.
- Plastic mixers.
- Straws for beverages.
- Plastic holders for cotton swabs or flexible cotton-tipped swabs.
- Plastic holders for inflation pumps.
On the other hand, certain plastic products are allowed under specific conditions, such as those used for medical purposes, food and beverage packaging requiring asepsis, and products made from 100% recycled plastic raw material.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the single-use plastics regulation in Colombia?
The new measures of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development establish sanctions ranging from 100 to 50,000 legal minimum wages, which in 2024 is equivalent to between 130 million and 65 billion pesos. In addition, the aforementioned plastic products will be confiscated and, in serious cases, establishments that do not comply with the law will be closed down. The funds collected will be used for ecosystem clean-up and aquatic flora and fauna recovery programmes, as well as for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for research and development of alternatives to plastics.
Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics in Colombia
The law also promotes the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics as alternatives to single-use plastics. These plastics must decompose under natural environmental conditions without leaving toxic residues in the air or on land. Allowable alternatives include plastics that use or come from renewable resources (corn starch, sugar beet, sugar cane, etc.), such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and cellulose.
The implementation of Law 2232 of 2022 not only has implications at the national level, but also opens up opportunities for international trade. By aligning with global trends towards sustainability, Colombia can position itself as a leader in the export and import of biodegradable and compostable products.
Export and import opportunities in Colombia
La demanda global de productos sostenibles está en aumento. Países de la Unión Europea, Estados Unidos y otras regiones están implementando regulaciones similares para reducir el uso de plásticos de un solo uso. Esto crea un mercado potencial para los productos biodegradables y compostables fabricados en Colombia. Empresas colombianas pueden aprovechar esta oportunidad para importar productos de mercados que ya llevan años desarrollando alternativas sostenibles, funcionales y competitivas.
Para competir en el mercado internacional, es crucial que los productos biodegradables y compostables cumplan con estándares internacionales de calidad y certificación. La Ley 2232 de 2022 establece que estos productos deben cumplir con normas técnicas establecidas por el gobierno nacional, basadas en estándares internacionales como los de la Sociedad Americana para la Prueba (ASTM) y la Organización Internacional para la Estandarización (ISO).
Global demand for sustainable products is on the rise. Countries in the European Union, the United States and other regions are implementing similar regulations to reduce the use of single-use plastics. This creates a potential market for biodegradable and compostable products made in Colombia. Colombian companies can take advantage of this opportunity to import products from markets that have been developing sustainable, functional and competitive alternatives for years.
To compete in the international market, it is crucial that biodegradable and compostable products meet international quality and certification standards. Law 2232 of 2022 establishes that these products must comply with technical norms established by the national government, based on international standards such as those of the American Society for Testing (ASTM) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Plastics legislation in other Latin American countries
Colombia is not alone in its efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Other Latin American countries have also implemented similar legislation to promote the use of biodegradable, bio-based and compostable products.
Plastics regulation in Brazil
Brazil was one of the first countries in the region to implement legislation for plastic waste management. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), enacted in 2010, establishes shared responsibility for the useful life of plastics and obliges companies to develop reverse logistics plans for the collection and recycling of plastic materials. Although only a small percentage of plastic waste is recycled, the Brazilian legislation lays the groundwork for a more sustainable management of plastics.
Plastics regulation in Chile
In 2016, Chile enacted the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law, which obliges producers of certain inputs to recover a percentage of the waste generated by the industry. This law has been a model for other countries in the region and has driven the adoption of more sustainable practices in plastic waste management.
Plastics regulation in Mexico and Argentina
Mexico and Argentina have also taken measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics. In Mexico, several cities have implemented local bans on plastic bags and other disposable products. Argentina has launched awareness campaigns and implemented regulations to promote the use of biodegradable and compostable products.
Improved PLA bioplastic as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics
ADBioplastics’ PLA-Premium bioplastic improves the mechanical properties, water and oxygen barrier and processability, among others, of pure PLA, achieving final characteristics similar to those of conventional plastics, but being a sustainable alternative that decomposes in only 3 months under industrial composting without leaving any trace of waste in the environment. This material has the OK Compost Industrial certificate from the international certifier TÜV Austria.
ADBioplastics has positioned itself in recent years as an international partner of booming markets in terms of sustainability such as Latin America and Asia by manufacturing and commercialising advanced and compostable bioplastics and additives.
Among the industries we are working in are food and cosmetic packaging products (our materials are suitable for food and cosmetic contact), 3D printing, agriculture, consumer goods and textiles.
Some single-use products we have developed with industry customers include cosmetic single-doses, single-use packaging for the horeca channel, non-woven for the textile sector (nappies, face masks, etc), household and product packaging for airlines and other means of transport, etc.
You can contact one of our experts to start developing your products here. Our team will be able to offer you the best technical and legislative option according to your needs, as well as being able to arrange a trial of our material.
Additionally, ADBioplastics will visit ColombiaPlast 2024 in September 2024 to look for synergies with companies in the plastics industry in Colombia and start collaborating in their sustainability strategies. You can contact Jose Ignacio Diaz, Sales Manager at ADBioplastics, who will be present at the fair, by clicking here.