Are Biodegradable Plastics Better for the Environment?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

Biodegradable plastics offer potential environmental benefits, particularly in controlled waste management settings. However, their effectiveness in natural environments is limited by various factors, including the need for specific conditions to degrade and the risk of forming microplastics. While they can contribute to sustainable development, biodegradable plastics are not a panacea for plastic pollution and should be integrated into a comprehensive waste management strategy. Further research and improved design are necessary to enhance their environmental performance and ensure they do not introduce new ecological threats.

The environmental impact of plastic waste has led to increased interest in biodegradable plastics as a potential solution. These materials are designed to break down more readily than conventional plastics, ideally reducing pollution and harm to ecosystems. However, the effectiveness and environmental benefits of biodegradable plastics are subjects of ongoing debate and research.

Key Insights

• Biodegradability and Environmental Conditions:
  • Biodegradable plastics require specific environmental conditions to degrade effectively, which are not always present in natural environments1 2 4 7.
  • The degradation of biodegradable plastics can be influenced by polymer structure, additives, and environmental variables, which can sometimes prolong their longevity1 4 7.
• Effectiveness in Waste Management:
  • Biodegradable plastics can contribute to waste management solutions, particularly in controlled environments like industrial composting and anaerobic digestion, but their performance in unmanaged environments is less reliable4 6 7.
  • The majority of biodegradable plastics and their blends do not meet ISO and ASTM biodegradation standards in many environments, indicating a need for improved design and management4 7.
• Potential Environmental Risks:
  • Biodegradable plastics can break down into microplastics, which may pose additional environmental threats, particularly in soil and marine ecosystems2 6 9.
  • The release of additives and the formation of biodegradable microplastics can have adverse effects on soil properties, microbial communities, and soil species9.
• Market and Policy Considerations:
  • Despite their potential, biodegradable plastics currently represent a small portion of the global plastics market and require further research and commercialization efforts3 5.
  • Effective waste management and investment in organic waste treatment facilities are crucial for the successful implementation of biodegradable plastics2 5.
• Sustainability and Green Economy:
  • Biodegradable plastics can contribute to sustainable development and a green economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and valorizing waste biomass5 7.
  • However, they should not be seen as a complete solution to plastic pollution but rather as part of a broader strategy that includes reducing, reusing, and recycling2 5 8.

 

---

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Chris Wilcox has answered Unlikely

An expert from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Marine Science, Ecology

No, just shorter lived pollution.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Paolo S Calabrò has answered Uncertain

An expert from Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria in Environmental Engineering

This is a complex question, the better solution for plastic end-of-life is collection followed to some form of recovery (recycling if possible), especially for plastic derived from renewable feedstocks. Also the thermal treatment with energy recovery is particularly appealing. If the question is related to the plastic abandoned in the environment, a rapidly biodegradable plastic would be better. The truth is that for many biodegradable plastics the assessment of the behaviour in natural environments is still complex.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Brian Johnston has answered Likely

An expert from University of Wolverhampton in Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology

Biodegradable plastics are better for the environment, however some bioplastics do not have the properties or economic value that traditional fossil-fuel based plastics do. 

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Irene Barguilla has answered Likely

An expert from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Genetics, Toxicology

The development of biodegradable plastics will potentially contribute to reduce the levels of plastic pollution at a macro level. However, it remains to be confirmed that the biotransformation of biodegradable plastic does not further contribute to the persistence of micro- and nanoplastics in the environment.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Sahar Seif has answered Likely

An expert from Carleton University in Environmental Science

Yes. However, greenwashing must be avoided and verified to be in fact free of petroleum plastics. With innovation in mind, products are being made of materials that are made of biological nutrients (The Upycle, 2013). Petroleum plastics are not made of biological nutrients in that the chemical harm associated with them outweighs the material benefits. 

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Josefa Domenech has answered Likely

An expert from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Toxicology, Microbiology

Yes. However, not all of them are completely biodegradable and their degradation in nature may alter environmental geochemistry.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Sharon George has answered Likely

An expert from Keele University in Environmental Science

Yes, compared to non-biodegradable plastics, but only if they are properly biodegraded. Some biodegradable plastics require very specific conditions, for example, industrial composting conditions over 50C. If they do not end up in the right environment, they may not degrade or only partially degrade. To fully biodegrade they have to fragment, usually via the action of heat, photodegradation, water and enzymes. At this stage they are simply microplastics. They have to then go through mineralisation, where fragments are assimilated by microbes to fully biodegrade.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Jenifer Panizzon has answered Unlikely

An expert from Feevale University in Environmental Science

In terms of potential effects on organisms and human health, they are not. Similarly, biodegradable plastics will take additives that may cause damage to the environment in addition to the environmental costs of their production.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Jacqueline Rutkowski has answered Unlikely

An expert from Interdisciplinary Institute for Studies and Research on Sustainability in Environmental Science

No, since biodegradable plastic is not actually biodegradable. So it’s even worse for the environment, because it leads to misunderstandings about the best ways to promote plastic recycling.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Joana C Prata has answered Uncertain

An expert from University of Aveiro in Toxicology, Chemistry

Biodegradable do not necessarily degrade in the environment, many are compostable only under specific conditions. Therefore, biodegradable plastics impact on the environment will depend on its applications and end-of-life.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Carla Elliff has answered Uncertain

An expert from University of Sao Paulo in Oceanography, Climatology

Biodegradable can be a misleading term because by itself it does not explain how much time is needed for the material to biodegrade (maybe a few days, maybe a few hundred years), nor does it entail in which conditions this occurs (specific temperature, light availability, oxygen… all this matters!). Lots of plastics have been labeled as biodegradable without clearly stating these details. In some cases this can be considered as “greenwashing” – meaning that producers are looking to associate an “environmentally-friendly” brand to their product, though without in fact looking out for the environment. 

See more about biodegradable plastics at: https://www.batepapocomnetuno.com/post/beware-of-biodegradable-plastics-you-may-be-fooled

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Britta Denise Hardesty has answered Unlikely

An expert from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Biology, Marine Ecology, Ecology, Plant Ecology

There is a lot of information – and mis-information about ‘biodegradable plastics’. The idea of 100% biodegradable plastics could be a good idea, the practice of it is problematic at the moment. Plastic and good for the environment don’t really go hand in hand. We don’t need or want plastics of any sort littering our natural environment. We want items/products to be used for their intended purpose, but not to be lost to the environment, no matter how ‘environmentally okay’ they are supposed to be.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Alethia Vazquez-Morillas has answered Unlikely

An expert from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Environmental Science, Engineering

Not necessarily. There are different types of biodegradable plastics, the most accepted being those which degrade in compost (i.e., compostable plastics). However, to make a difference in the environmental impact, they must reach the proper end-of-life scenario: a composting plant. There they will find a suitable environment for their biodegradation. For this to happen, segregation at source and during collection is required. If compostable plastics go to landfills, where oxygen is lacking, they will not degrade readily. If, on the other hand, they are littered in the environment, there is no guarantee that they will find the required microorganisms, oxygen, and water needed for their biodegradation. Even if they find them, the process will not be immediate, and they could be ingested by different animals or cause other harmful effects. 

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Ece Topuzlu has answered Uncertain

An expert from Janssen in Biochemistry

Biodegradable plastics can be broken down with the use of microorganisms. In that sense, they are less likely to be harmful in the environment. However, most biodegradable plastics we use today still require composting facilities to fully biodegrade. If the biodegradable plastics actually reach the necessary facilities, they can be considered better for the environment.

 

Are biodegradable plastics better for the environment?

Jill Bartolotta has answered Unlikely

An expert from Ohio State University in Marine Ecology, Education, Social Sciences, Environmental Science

Biodegradable plastics are often contaminated with virgin plastic, but marketed as biodegradable so this is the first issue with biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics behave the same way as any other plastic item in the natural environment until they degrade. Meaning they entangle animals, reduce aesthetics, and can be ingested. Which yes some biodegradable plastics degrade faster than plastic but recent studies are finding a slew of toxic chemicals associated with biodegradable plastics. If you are wanting to use biodegradable items it is best to stick with items made from natural fibers.