PlastTalk - The northern environment and biogas production challenges biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics are often perceived as environmentally friendly, but how true is this in practice, especially in the cold climatic conditions of Northern Europe and in anaerobic biowaste treatment?

This timely webinar brings together expert voices to explore the realities of plastic biodegradation in biowaste recycling facilities as well as soil and aquatic environments in northern climatic conditions.

Registration

Please register via this webropol link.(you are switching to another service)

This PlastTalk webinar is designed for Nordic and EU policymakers, parliamentarians, and stakeholders looking for up-to-date, research-based insights to guide future decision-making.

Topics discussed connect to 7-year Finnish national PlastLIFE project Re-thinking sustainable recycling of plastics. PlastLIFE is co-funded by the EU LIFE programme. PlastTalk webinars are organised by the PlastLIFE project coordinator Finnish Environment Institute (Syke).

Join us to better understand both the risks and possibilities of biodegradable plastics, and how informed policies can shape sustainable solutions for Europe.

Programme

Date: 15 December 2025
Time: 14.00–15.30 (EET)
Place: Teams

Facilitator Helena Dahlbo, Leader of “Rethinking plastics in a sustainable circular economy – PlastLIFE SIP”, the Finnish Environment Institute

14.00–14.05 Opening of the webinar

Keynotes:

Recommendations of biodegradable plastics, Sari Kauppi, Senior researcher, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)
Biodegradable plastics in soil, Salla Selonen, Senior researcher, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)
Biodegradable plastics in aquatic environment, Sami Taipale, Associate Professor, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Biodegradable plastics in biogas plants, Anna Virolainen-Hynnä, Leading biogas expert, Finnish Biocycle and Biogas Association

Discussion

Guest speaker: Emma Strömberg(you are switching to another service), Docent, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute

Discussion

15.25–15.30 Wrap-up and closing of the webinar

Kauppi Sari, Selonen Salla, Taipale Sami & Virolainen-Hynnä Anna. Threats and opportunities of biodegradable plastics. Action recommendations of the research project. September 2025. (helda.helsinki.fi)

Threats and opportunities of biodegradable plastics – recommendations for the decision makers, News 9 September 2025 (syke.fi)