Do biodegradable plastics really decompose? Do biodegradable plastics break down in nature as their manufacturers claim and help end plastic pollution on Earth? The crisis of plastic pollution lies in the fact that it remains in the environment for hundreds of years. The huge volume of plastics released into nature, especially in the oceans, seriously threatens the health of ecosystems and humans, so a solution must be thought of.
Biodegradable plastics are one of the innovations that have been developed to combat the dangers of plastics. As a great alternative to conventional and old plastics, these bags are a promising solution to reduce the harmful environmental effects of plastics.
The main goal of producing and using these plastics is to reduce the volume of solid waste and help maintain a healthy environment by speeding up the process of plastic decomposition. On the surface, this seems like a win-win deal; but is this solution really as perfect as it is advertised to be? Join us as we discover the truth.
Biodegradable plastics are plastic materials that, under specific environmental conditions and mediated by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, completely decompose into natural and harmless compounds such as water, carbon dioxide, methane, and biomass.
To begin the process of breaking down these plastics, microbial enzymes are needed to break down the long polymer chains into smaller pieces. The main difference between biodegradable plastics and conventional plastics is the presence of weaker chemical bonds and a different molecular structure, which allows for rapid decomposition and conversion into natural materials.
Biodegradable plastic must decompose within a reasonable and standardized time frame and the final product that exits the decomposition cycle must not have any toxic effects on the environment. International standards such as EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 specify that these materials must decompose to at least 90% in an industrial composting facility within a specified time frame, usually 90 days.
Among the most common types of biodegradable plastics is polylactic acid (PLA), which is widely used in packaging and disposable containers. This polymer is often obtained from renewable resources such as corn starch, cassava or sugar cane. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which are made by bacteria in nutrient-poor conditions, are other raw materials in the production of these plastics, which have a higher ability to decompose in natural environments. Another type of these materials is starch-based plastics or starch blend, which are used as a cheaper alternative in the production process of biodegradable plastics.
Each of these materials must be exposed to specific environmental conditions for decomposition, which include a certain level of heat (temperature), sufficient moisture, access to oxygen, and the active presence of microorganisms.
Yes, they do decompose, but only under certain environmental conditions. These plastics do not decompose easily in any environment. Most biodegradable plastics on the market, especially PLA, require optimized industrial composting conditions for complete and effective decomposition. These conditions include maintaining high temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees Celsius or higher and controlled humidity, which helps in rapid and extensive activity of microorganisms.
When these plastics are placed in conventional, uncontrolled environments such as landfills, the decomposition process will be extremely slow and incomplete. Landfills are oxygen-poor and relatively cold environments that do not have the necessary conditions for the growth and activity of microorganisms that decompose these materials. In such oxygen-free environments, the decomposition of PLA or starch-based plastics in such anaerobic environments can take decades or even centuries, often producing greenhouse gases such as methane.
In aquatic environments such as rivers or oceans, the situation is even worse. Most biodegradable plastics remain as stable as regular plastics in cold, deep waters due to the lack of temperature and microbial conditions. According to environmental organizations, many of these materials do not decompose, but only break down into smaller, visible pieces, eventually turning into dangerous microplastics, which are dangerous to the environment.
In general, biodegradable plastics do not completely decompose in environments that lack industrial composting standards, and their decomposition will take many years, acting as a source of environmental pollution.
One of the biggest challenges of biodegradable plastics is their heavy dependence on specialized composting infrastructure. Unfortunately, waste collection and processing systems for industrial separation and composting of these materials are not yet developed in many parts of the world, and a large portion of biodegradable plastics purchased by consumers end up in landfills or nature, failing to achieve their environmental goal.
Another challenge is the issue of hidden environmental pollution caused by by-products resulting from the decomposition of these plastics. Even if a biodegradable plastic decomposes in nature over time, its decomposition process is very long and in the early stages of decomposition it is converted into tiny microplastics. These microscopic particles are dangerous and can enter the food chain and endanger the health of living organisms, including humans. So incomplete decomposition of these plastics not only does not solve the problem; it only changes it into an invisible form.
The actual degradation time of these materials in natural environments and outside of suitable conditions is much longer than their manufacturers’ advertising claims and can take decades. This time delay provides ample opportunity for long-term environmental contamination.
Another serious technical problem in the recycling industry is the accidental or intentional mixing of biodegradable plastics with conventional plastics such as PET or HDPE. If PLA or other similar plastics enter the recycling stream, given that these materials have different melting points and chemical properties, they will severely reduce the quality of the recycled product and contaminate it. This has led many recyclers to recognize these plastics as contaminants and reject them in the recycling process.
These challenges prove that plastic recycling is not a panacea for plastic pollution. Consumers and industry policymakers need to be well-informed about the conditions required for decomposition and invest in waste management infrastructure to effectively and completely eradicate the problem.
To effectively tackle the plastic pollution crisis, more comprehensive solutions are needed that go beyond replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives. Environmentalists emphasize the waste management hierarchy. In this hierarchy, the top priority should be to reduce overall plastic consumption and use non-plastic alternatives. Encouraging people and businesses to use reusable alternatives such as cloth bags, glass containers, and metal bottles can be an effective solution.
Improving recycling technology and infrastructure for common plastics such as PET and HDPE could also have a positive impact. By increasing efficiency, accessibility, and source separation, a large portion of existing plastics can be returned to the production cycle, reducing the need to produce new materials. In addition, industrial composting infrastructure should be expanded for those plastics that are truly compostable, so that their degradability claims can be realized in practice and they are prevented from entering the regular recycling stream.
The use of real innovations in the production of fully biodegradable materials in the natural environment should also be supported so that plastics can be produced that can easily decompose without the need for harsh temperature and humidity conditions and return harmlessly to the natural cycle.
It is also important to enforce clearer rules and standards for labeling. Regulatory agencies should ensure that labels such as biodegradable or compostable are only used if the product actually meets the standards for home or seawater composting.
Some companies produce high-quality, low-harm plastic products to reduce environmental impacts and have effective use. Nakhl Plast has succeeded in meeting consumer needs with minimal harm to the environment by producing various products such as high-quality plastic bags and nylons that comply with strict production standards and focus on safe and effective use.
The high quality of products such as shopping bags and freezer bags manufactured by Nakhl Plast Company makes them more durable. This high durability and resistance reduces the customer’s need for repeated purchases and reuse. In fact, producing products that tear or deteriorate later will indirectly lead to a reduction in the amount of new plastic entering the environment.
Instead of investing in obscure and cumbersome degradable technologies, Nakhl Plast focuses on improving the quality and proper use of its products, believing that the best plastic is plastic that can be used for a longer period of time or recycled properly.
Biodegradable plastics, despite their big advertising slogans, are not a complete and magical solution to the plastic pollution crisis; because these materials are completely biodegradable under certain conditions, such as high-temperature industrial composting, and in natural and environmental conditions, they will have a very long and often harmful decomposition process.
Biodegradable plastics, in environments such as landfills, regular soils, and open waters are about as persistent as traditional plastics, and their incomplete and time-consuming decomposition produces dangerous microplastics that endanger human health and the environment.
To reduce plastic pollution, the global community and businesses need to take a holistic approach that focuses on real environmental priorities. This approach should include prioritizing the reduction of plastic consumption and its reuse, thereby preventing the production of new waste.
Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that, under certain environmental conditions and with the help of microorganisms, breaks down into natural compounds such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Its main difference from traditional plastics is its weaker chemical bonds and different molecular structure, which allows for faster decomposition.
Not always. These plastics require industrial composting conditions to fully decompose, including high temperatures, controlled humidity, and the activity of specific microorganisms. In natural environments such as soil, landfills, or open water, they decompose very slowly and can turn into dangerous microplastics.
The most common types include PLA (polylactic acid), PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), and starch-based plastics. PLA is usually produced from renewable resources such as corn or sugarcane, while PHA is made by bacteria and has a better ability to decompose in the natural environment.
The biggest challenge is the need for specialized industrial composting infrastructure. Without these systems, a large portion of plastics end up in landfills or nature, where their incomplete decomposition creates microplastics and greenhouse gas emissions.
No. Mixing these plastics with conventional plastics such as PET or HDPE reduces the quality of the recycled product and they are often rejected as contaminants. Therefore, recycling these materials requires careful separation.
Simply replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable ones is not enough. Without industrial composting infrastructure and proper waste management, these plastics will remain like traditional plastics and will not contribute to real pollution reduction.
Reducing plastic consumption, using reusable products, effectively recycling traditional plastics, and developing industrial composting infrastructure for biodegradable plastics are key solutions. Conscious consumption and proper waste management are more important than simply replacing plastic.
In uncontrolled environments, these plastics can take tens to hundreds of years to decompose, producing dangerous microplastics in the process. This means that, without industrial conditions, biodegradable plastics remain just as persistent as conventional plastics.
