D6.1 Limitations of bio-based solutions

This document is a deliverable of the WORM Project, funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No 101135392. The aim of this document (D6.1) is to identify limitations for bio-based solutions. Using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) integrated with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data, stakeholder engagement, and a literature review, the study explores the dynamic interactions, trade-offs, and unintended consequences of BBM adoption, also in comparison to fossil-based materials (FBM). Additionally, WORM also describes potential mitigation strategies to reduce the unintended consequences and reflects on these opportunities and challenges within the humanitarian sector, especially in medical (e.g., field hospital) settings. 

Key findings highlight that BBMs offer environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lower fossil resource use. However, they also pose challenges including competition with food crops, contribution to deforestation, reduced durability and hygiene performance, and potential disruption to waste management systems—particularly affecting informal waste pickers. The CLDs also reveal critical feedback loops across market dynamics, policy pressures, technical performance, environmental impacts, and social outcomes. The report emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, policy support, and material design in enabling circularity and minimizing negative impacts. To address these challenges, the report proposes mitigation strategies such as promoting bio-based materials that do not compete with food production (e.g., algae, 2nd or 3rd generation biomass), supporting regenerative agriculture, improving waste infrastructure, enhancing product design for circularity, and aligning procurement with life cycle thinking. Stakeholder collaboration is essential to ensure BBM adoption supports both environmental sustainability and social equity.