Unlocking the biobased future: investigating recycling lock-ins and corporate power in the adoption of biobased food packaging

Abstract Adverse impacts of plastic can be reduced by shifting to a circular bioeconomy with biobased plastics. Incumbents face barriers, including the alleged “recycling lock-in”, hindering the adoption of new polymers due to the current plastic packaging system. Corporate power is crucial in promoting this shift. This study focuses on corporate power in the Dutch plastic packaging sector, analyzing conflicts of interest and barriers in transitioning to a circular bioeconomy. Market-based Instruments’ effectiveness in promoting circularity among food companies is explored. Fifteen incumbents in Dutch plastic food packaging sector were interviewed. Reasons for not widely using biobased polymers are: technical performance issues, higher prices, limited availability and lack of recycling infrastructure. Moreover, existing recycling infrastructure, regulations, and practices are optimized for fossil-based polymers, creating lock-ins for the inclusion of new materials. Despite no legal barriers, companies are hesitant to use biobased plastics due to system challenges. They struggle to transition from fossil-based to biobased plastic packaging due to resistance to change. Power dynamics analysis shows that the petrochemical industry, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, and retail dominance has decreased in the past decade, with governmental measures increasing the influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and recyclers. No single entity controls the system.