Biodegradable. Compostable. Plant-based. These words sound promising—like we’ve found a guilt-free way to consume plastic-like packaging without polluting the planet.
And companies are quick to market their products with these eco-friendly labels. But here’s the problem: not all “green” materials are as innocent as they appear.
In this article, we explore why biodegradable plastics may not be the silver bullet we’ve been led to believe—and how some so-called solutions are simply single-use by another name.
Before we dive in…
This short video from PBS NOVA explores the science and hype behind biodegradable plastics, challenging common assumptions about what it means for a material to break down naturally.
Watching this first will set the stage for what follows—because sometimes the best way to understand greenwashing is to see the gaps between the promise and the practice.
The Language of Greenwashing
Terms like “biodegradable” and “compostable” have no universal standards. Biodegradable simply means the material can break down—eventually. Compostable means it must break down quickly and harmlessly, usually in very specific conditions. A plastic cup might biodegrade in a commercial composting facility at high heat—but won’t break down in your backyard or, worse, in the ocean.
This leads to confusion. Consumers toss “compostable” packaging into regular trash, or worse, into recycling bins where it contaminates the recycling stream. Meanwhile, companies gain environmental credibility without changing much about their business model.
Bioplastics Still Have a Footprint
Let’s be clear: just because something is made from plants doesn’t mean it’s sustainable. A material’s origin doesn’t determine its impact—what matters is the full lifecycle, from how it’s grown and processed to where it ends up.
Let’s be clear: just because something is made from plants doesn’t mean it’s sustainable.
Take cassava or corn-based bioplastics. While they avoid fossil fuels, they often rely on industrial monoculture farming, which comes with its own environmental and social costs: deforestation, pesticide-heavy agriculture, high water usage, and land competition that can displace local food crops. In regions where cassava is a food staple, shifting production toward packaging raises ethical concerns about who benefits—and who pays.
In many cases, the carbon footprint of bioplastics isn’t significantly lower than conventional plastics when you consider the full life cycle.
Out of Sight, Not Out of System
Even so-called biodegradable plastics don’t vanish—they often fragment into smaller pieces rather than fully degrade. For example, oxo-degradable plastics, which are often labeled as biodegradable, tend to fragment into microplastics rather than fully breaking down. Some leave behind microplastics, just like conventional plastic. Others require specific conditions to decompose (like industrial composting plants, which are rare in most countries).
What’s worse, labeling something “biodegradable” often gives consumers permission to dispose freely, under the illusion that nature will take care of it. A 2023 study found that compostable plastic bags buried in soil were still largely intact after two years—raising questions about what “biodegradable” really means in practice.
Rebranding Single-Use Culture
Bioplastics, compostables, and green-labelled disposables all share one thing in common: they’re designed to be thrown away. And that’s the real issue.
Instead of redesigning our systems to reduce packaging, we’re inventing new materials that fit into the same wasteful model. It’s business-as-usual, wrapped in a leaf-patterned box.
So What’s the Alternative?
We don’t just need better materials—we need fewer disposable products. That means:
- Reusable containers, bags, and systems
- Incentives for zero-waste business models
- Infrastructure for refill stations and reverse logistics
- Education that emphasizes reduction over substitution
Because no matter what it’s made from, the best form of packaging is the one that doesn’t need to exist.
Want to Know Why Recycling Was Never the Solution? If you’re wondering why industries keep offering new materials instead of changing the system, there’s a reason. That story starts here:
Read our companion article: The Great Recycling Distraction: How We Got Duped by a Green Myth — uncovering how the recycling narrative was used to deflect responsibility from producers.
Further Reading
If today’s packaging feels more like a marketing gimmick than a solution, you’re not alone. These articles, studies, and reports offer a deeper look at the environmental realities behind bioplastics and so-called “green” alternatives—and why real change means rethinking more than just materials.
Biodegradable plastics: Green hope or greenwashing? – Marine Pollution Bulletin
A critical examination of biodegradable plastics, questioning their environmental benefits and potential role in greenwashing practices.
Bad News – Bioplastics Are NOT A Solution To Plastic Pollution – Beyond Plastics
An analysis highlighting the limitations of bioplastics and compostable plastics in addressing plastic pollution effectively.
The Truth About Bioplastics – State of the Planet, Columbia University
An exploration of the advantages and challenges associated with bioplastics, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of their environmental impact.
‘It’s greenwash’: most home compostable plastics don’t work, says study – The Guardian
Reporting on a study that found many home-compostable plastics fail to disintegrate properly, leading to concerns about greenwashing.
Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics: A Critical Perspective on the Myths and Reality – Frontiers in Environmental Science
A comprehensive review debunking common myths about biodegradable and compostable plastics, offering a realistic perspective on their environmental impact.
Books:
The following books are linked to Amazon.com for your convenience. If you decide to purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
Life Cycle of Sustainable Packaging: From Design to End of Life [amazon.com]
Rafael Auras & Susan E. M. Selke
A practical and science-based exploration of packaging life cycles and how to design for true sustainability.
Bioplastics for Sustainability [amazon.com]
Ajay Kumar Mishra (Editor), Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain PhD (Editor)
Introduces the science, applications, and commercial realities of bioplastics, including challenges that complicate their sustainability claims.
Sustainable Plastics: Environmental Assessments of Biobased, Biodegradable, and Recycled Plastics [amazon.com]
Joseph P. Greene
Compares traditional and biobased plastics across multiple metrics to assess what “sustainable” really means.
Green Biopolymers for Packaging Applications [amazon.com]
Naushad et al.
An in-depth look at the development and future of compostable, plant-based packaging materials.
Explore the Plastic Truths Mini-Series:
- Plastic’s Hidden Casualties — The human cost of plastic production
- The Great Recycling Distraction — Why recycling was never the solution
- Rebranded Waste? — You’re here
- Plastic Power – How Policy and Profit Keep Plastic Flowing
We keep our articles short, sharp, and clear—not to tell you what to think, but to spark thought, challenge assumptions, and encourage deeper inquiry into the systems shaping our world.
Critical thinking starts with asking better questions.
Image Acknowledgement
We’re grateful to the talented photographers and designers on Unsplash for providing beautiful, free-to-use images. The image on this page is by Owl Illustration Agency. Check out their work here: https://unsplash.com/@owl_illustration/illustrations.
