The Truth of Biodegradable Plastics: Is It Safe?

The Truth of Biodegradable Plastics: Is It Safe?

Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will dissolve into natural products such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under specific environmental conditions. Traditional plastics take hundreds of years to degrade, but biodegradable plastics purport to degrade much more quickly.

• Two broad categories of biodegradable plastics are:

      1. Bio-based plastics: 

They are produced from renewable feedstocks such as corn starch, sugarcane, or vegetable oil.

     2. Petroleum-based biodegradable plastics:

In our pursuit of minimizing the harm inflicted by plastic pollution, biodegradable plastics have come as a hopeful option. These so-called "eco-friendly" plastics are being sold as a guilt-free alternative to our convenience addiction. But do they really live up to their hype? Or are they merely another case of greenwashing?

In this article, we’ll explore what biodegradable plastics really are, how they work, whether they’re actually better for the planet, and the hidden truths that many people don’t know.

🌍  What Are Biodegradable Plastics?

Biodegradable plastics are products that are programmed to degrade to natural products such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass upon exposure to specific environmental factors. In contrast to conventional plastics, which take up to hundreds of years to degrade, biodegradable plastics purport to degrade much earlier.

• There are two broad categories of biodegradable plastics.

1. Bio-based plastics: Produced from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, or vegetable oils.
   
2. Petroleum-derived biodegradable plastics: Produced from fossil fuels but engineered to decompose under certain circumstances.
   

Examples include:

1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)
2. PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates)
3. PBAT (Polybutylene adipate terephthalate)

But the question is—do they indeed break down like we would hope?

🧪How Do Biodegradable Plastics Disintegrate?

Biodegradable plastic needs certain environmental conditions to disintegrate. These are:

1. High temperatures (above 50°C)
2. High humidity
3. Contact with oxygen
4. Certain microbial activity

Such environments are typically in industrial composting plants, not landfills, oceans, or your backyard compost pile.

For instance:

1. PLA can degrade in 1-3 months in an industrial plant.
2. But in a landfill, it could take hundreds of years, the same as regular plastic.

So if the biodegradable cup winds up in the garbage (as most of them do), it might not even decompose.

❗ The Hidden Truth: Biodegradable ≠ Harmless

Though the word "biodegradable" may seem safe, it is actually misleading. This is why:

1. Most Biodegradable Plastics Don't Break Down in Nature

On oceans or normal landfills, conditions for biodegradation simply do not prevail. Thus, these plastics act just like ordinary plastic, degrading into harmful microplastics.

2. They Can Release Greenhouse Gases

When decomposing, certain biodegradable plastics emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, particularly when they break down in the absence of oxygen in landfills.

3. They May Pollute Recycling Streams

Biodegradable plastics may not be compatible with conventional plastic recycling processes. If discarded in the recycling bin, they can taint batches of recyclable plastic, rendering the whole load useless.

4. They Encourage Single-Use Culture

Calling something "biodegradable" falsely implies that it's permissible to throw it away carelessly. This promotes the use of single-use, which is the cause.

🧃 Misconceptions

Let's debunk some common myths:

✅ Myth 1: All Biodegradable Plastics Break Down in Nature
Fact: Most need industrial composting conditions to degrade. In oceans, rivers, and soil, they tend to linger.

✅ Myth 2: Biodegradable Plastics Are Produced from Only Plants
Fact: Most are still produced from fossil fuels, similar to conventional plastics, but designed to break down quicker.

✅ Myth 3: Biodegradable = Compostable
Fact: Not everything that is biodegradable is compostable. Compostable plastics have to meet specific criteria (such as ASTM D6400) and decompose into non-toxic parts in a composting plant.

🔬Real-World Studies & Results

There have been several studies examining the real-world effect of biodegradable plastics:

• A 2019 University of Plymouth (UK) study discovered that so-called "biodegradable" plastic bags remained in good condition after three years exposed to soil and seawater.

• Greenpeace has cautioned that the hype around biodegradable plastics might divert attention from actual solutions, such as a decrease in plastic consumption and better waste management.

These results corroborate that just because a plastic is marked "biodegradable," it doesn't automatically mean it will disappear innocently into the environment.

🏭 Are Industrial Composting Facilities Commonly Accessible?

Unfortunately, no. Industrial composting facilities are:

• Few in number, particularly in developing nations.
  

• Expensive to run

• Rarely accept biodegradable plastics because of contamination issues

What this leaves is that most biodegradable plastics will still end up in landfills or incinerators, undermining their purpose.

♻️ What's the Alternative?

Rather than using biodegradable plastics, here are some genuinely sustainable alternatives:

1. Reduce and Reuse
The simplest solution to cutting plastic pollution is to not use plastic at all. Opt for:

• Cloth bags
• Steel water bottles
• Reusable containers

2. Support Refillable Systems

Select brands that provide refill points or zero-packaging.

3. Educate Others
Most people aren't aware of how far biodegradable plastics can go. Spreading facts (such as this blog!) helps raise awareness.

4. Proper Segregation of Waste
Even if biodegradable products are employed, disposing of them in the right bin is of paramount importance. Dumping them in the incorrect waste bin can prove to be counterproductive.

🧾 Eco-Labels to Look For

If you do go for biodegradable or compostable products, ensure they're certified by reputable organizations:

• ASTM D6400 / EN 13432: Industrial compostability
• BPI Certified Compostable
• TÜV Austria OK Compost

These certifications mean the product has been tested and can safely decompose in appropriate facilities.

⚠️ Greenwashing: The Dark Side of Eco-Marketing

Lots of companies label their product with the term "biodegradable" without specifying:

• Where it degrades
• How long it takes
• Under what conditions

This type of greenwashing tricks consumers into thinking they're making environmentally sound decisions, when actually they're not.

Always read the fine print and be skeptical of vague statements.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Biodegradable plastics are no silver bullet. Although they have a catchy ring to them, they don't hold up as well under real-world conditions. They can last in the environment, harm wildlife, and even cause climate change if improperly discarded.

The more prudent way is to cut back on the overall plastic use, use reusable and biodegradable products, and ask for improved waste management infrastructure from the government and companies.

Biodegradable plastics might have a place in a circular economy, but only if they're supplemented by a broader strategy of sustainability, transparency, and accountability.

📣 What Can You Do Today?

Skip single-use plastics—biodegradable or otherwise.

• Wear the badge of zero-waste brands.
  

• Teach your loved ones and peers.
  

• Share this post to raise awareness.
  

💬 Let's chat!

What are your opinions about biodegradable plastics? Have you tried them? Leave your comments below!