Bioplastics
Last updated
Last updated
The term "bioplastics" has been often used interchangeably with the terms "biodegradable plastics" and "biobased plastics". This has led to some confusion among manufacturers, brand owners, and consumers alike. The graphic below provides clarity about the correct use of these terms and some of the plastic resin types that fall within each:
Bioplastics are being marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, offering both biobased and/or biodegradable options. However, they are not as straightforward a solution to the environmental and human health issues posed by traditional plastics as they might sound.
When bioplastics are made from renewable sources like corn or sugarcane, their production reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, their production often requires significant water, land, and chemical inputs (contributing to eutrophication and acidification), and may compete with food resources.
The chemical safety of bioplastics raises concerns. Like conventional plastics, they are chemically complex materials that can contain many different harmful chemicals, both intentionally added and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), that can migrate into food or persist in the environment, posing risks to human health and ecosystems. Studies show that bioplastics can be as toxic or even more toxic than conventional fossil-based plastics.
The presence of potentially harmful chemicals in bioplastics also raises concerns for achieving a safe circular economy as harmful chemicals can contaminate compost, which will be released into agricultural soils when the compost is used on them.
Not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and those that are may only degrade under specific conditions that are often not met in natural environments (and instead require industrial composting facilities). This can lead to misconceptions about their environmental benefits, as products labeled as "biodegradable" might in reality not fully biodegrade and instead contribute to plastic pollution.
At the end of their life, bioplastics can also face challenges in waste management. If not properly processed separately from conventional plastics, they can disrupt recycling efforts.
When biodegradable plastics are intended for single-use applications, their degradation often results in the loss of resources and contributes to carbon emissions, offering limited environmental benefits.
If you want to learn more about bioplastics, explore the resources linked below.
