890: Bioplastics | Skeptical Sunday

Biodegradable

Biodegradable plastics are often misunderstood, as Michael Regilio explains. The term 'biodegradable' can be deceptive because it doesn't guarantee that the plastic will decompose in a landfill or recycling facility. Jordan Harbinger finds it confusing that biodegradable plastics must be disposed of in soil or water to decompose properly, which is not practical for most consumers 1. Michael points out that some bioplastics, despite being plant-based, are chemically identical to oil-based plastics and are not biodegradable 2.

The term biodegradable basically means nothing. Technically, all plastic is biodegradable. It just takes a really long time to biodegrade.

--- Michael Regilio

This confusion is compounded by the fact that even some oil-based plastics are designed to biodegrade faster than others 2.

   

Compostable

Compostable plastics present their own set of challenges. Michael Regilio explains that these plastics require industrial composting facilities to break down properly, which are scarce and often do not accept compostable plastics 3. Jordan Harbinger finds it frustrating that compostable plastics can contaminate recycling batches and release methane in landfills, a potent greenhouse gas 4.

Compostable plastic that ends up at the recycling plant can contaminate entire batches of plastic because compostable plastic can't be recycled and the entire batch ends up in a landfill.

--- Michael Regilio

The misleading labels and limited disposal options make it difficult for consumers to manage compostable plastics responsibly 3.