You’ve probably seen products labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” at the store and assumed they were better for the planet than regular plastic. But a new study suggests it’s not that simple.
Researchers reviewed dozens of studies on bioplastics — plastics made from plant or biological materials rather than fossil fuels — to find out whether they live up to their “green” reputation. Their findings were published in the journal Environmental Research Communications.
Judith S. Weis, RCEI Affiliate and Professor Emerita in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University-Newark, is a co-author on the study, along with colleagues from Department of Environmental Science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Beth Ravit and Peter Strom.
Bioplastics are a wide and varied group of materials that behave very differently from one another. While some do break down in natural environments like soil or water, many only degrade under very specific conditions — like in a high-temperature industrial composting facility. Leave them in the ocean or a backyard compost pile, and many bioplastics barely break down at all.
Perhaps most surprisingly, many bioplastics were found to be more toxic than conventional plastics in lab tests. The toxicity often comes not from the plastic itself, but from the chemical additives mixed into the product during manufacturing.
“The word ‘bioplastic’ can give consumers and policymakers a false sense of security. Our findings show that these materials need to be evaluated individually — not treated as a category that is automatically safe or green.” — Judith Weis
These findings matter for policy. Bioplastics are meant to reduce the carbon footprint of conventional plastic. As governments consider banning or regulating single-use plastics, this study highlights the importance of evaluating bioplastics carefully before promoting them as straightforward replacements.
The bottom line: the label “bioplastic” doesn’t automatically mean better or safer for the environment. More research and clearer regulations are needed to protect both people and the environment.
You can read the full study here.
This article was written with assistance from Artificial Intelligence, was reviewed and edited by Kenneth Tam, and was reviewed by Judith Weis, a co-author on the study.
