Key Takeaways
- Biodegradable plastic breaks down under specific conditions, but not always in everyday environments like landfills.
- Choosing the right disposal method is key to making biodegradable plastic a truly sustainable option.
- Carlin Waste Recycling connects companies with the right recycling and processing partners to turn plastic waste into value. Get a quote today!
Biodegradable plastic is often seen as a simple solution to the global plastic crisis. You can easily assume that switching to it automatically reduces environmental impact, but the reality is more complex than that.
In this guide, we’ll cover how biodegradable plastic actually works, the key differences between biodegradable and compostable materials, its real environmental benefits and hidden drawbacks, and what disposal options make it a genuinely sustainable choice for your business.
Let’s dig in!
What Is Biodegradable Plastic?
Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic designed to break down through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Unlike traditional plastics, which can last hundreds of years, biodegradable plastics are created to decompose into natural elements like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass over time.
How Is Biodegradable Plastic Made?
Biodegradable plastic is made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, from petroleum-based materials engineered to degrade faster, or from a mix of both.
What Is the Difference Between Biodegradable and Compostable Plastic?
The difference between biodegradable and compostable plastic is that biodegradable plastic can break down naturally over time, but without strict requirements regarding how long the process takes or the conditions needed. Compostable plastic, in contrast, must decompose within a defined timeframe under controlled composting conditions and break down into non-toxic components that leave no harmful residue.
What Are the Main Types of Biodegradable Plastic?
The main types of biodegradable plastic are:
- PLA (Polylactic Acid) made from corn starch.
- PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) produced by microorganisms.
- Starch-based plastics derived from plant materials.
- PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), a biodegradable synthetic polymer.
Each type has different properties, costs, and environmental impacts depending on how it is used and disposed of.
How Does Biodegradable Plastic Actually Break Down?
Biodegradable plastic breaks down through microbial activity. Microorganisms consume the material and convert it into simpler substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, a process that can take anywhere from a few months to several years.
However, this process doesn’t happen on its own. It depends heavily on environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, oxygen, and microbial activity. Without the right conditions, degradation slows down significantly or may not happen at all.
Does Biodegradable Plastic Break Down in a Landfill?
No, biodegradable plastic does not break down in a landfill because the conditions are not ideal.
Landfills are often low in oxygen and microbial activity, which are necessary for proper decomposition. As a result, biodegradable plastics can behave similarly to traditional plastics in these environments.
In some cases, they actually make things worse by producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, instead of breaking down cleanly.
Is Biodegradable Plastic Actually Eco-Friendly?
Yes and no, biodegradable plastic is partially eco-friendly, but it is not a perfect solution. It has real potential to reduce long-term pollution, especially when it’s made from renewable resources and disposed of correctly.
In the right conditions, biodegradable plastic can break down into harmless natural elements instead of lingering in the environment for centuries, but it’s not a guaranteed green solution since its environmental impact is tied directly to how it’s produced, used, and handled at end of life.
If handled incorrectly, it may offer little advantage over conventional plastic and can even create new environmental issues.
By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean.
– World Economic Forum
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic?
The environmental benefits of biodegradable plastic are:
- Reduced long-term plastic pollution.
- Lower reliance on fossil fuels when made from renewable sources.
- Potential for safer breakdown into natural elements.
- Improved waste management when paired with proper systems.
- Lower carbon footprint over the product’s lifecycle compared to conventional plastics.
These benefits are most noticeable when disposal methods are aligned with the material’s requirements.
What Are the Environmental Drawbacks of Biodegradable Plastic?
The environmental drawbacks of biodegradable plastic are:
- Requires specific conditions to break down effectively.
- Can generate methane in landfill environments.
- May contaminate recycling streams.
- Often more expensive than traditional plastics.
- Some variants are still derived from fossil fuels, limiting their sustainability benefits.
These limitations highlight why it should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution.
What Are the Disposal Options for Biodegradable Plastic?
The disposal options for biodegradable plastic are composting, specialized waste processing, and in some cases landfill disposal, though not all options are equally effective.
- Industrial composting is usually the best route because it provides the controlled conditions needed for proper breakdown and within a reasonable timeframe.
- Some materials can also be handled through dedicated biodegradable waste processing facilities, which are designed to manage these materials outside of standard composting systems.
- Landfill disposal, as a last resort, is the least effective option, since the conditions there are rarely suitable for proper degradation. If access to composting or specialized processing isn’t available, much of the environmental benefit of switching to biodegradable plastic is lost.
Can Biodegradable Plastic Be Recycled?
No, biodegradable plastic cannot usually be recycled because it is not compatible with traditional recycling streams.
Mixing it with standard recycling streams can contaminate the process and reduce the quality of the recycled output. This is why clear separation and proper labeling are essential when handling biodegradable products.
Some specialized facilities can process certain types, like PLA, but this infrastructure is still limited and not widely accessible. When in doubt, composting or dedicated biodegradable waste processing is the safer path.
Of all the waste we generate, plastic bags are perhaps the greatest symbol of our throwaway society. They are used, then forgotten, and they leave a terrible legacy.
– Zac Goldsmith, the British Minister of State for Pacific and the Environment
Should Businesses Switch to Biodegradable Plastic?
Yes, businesses should consider switching to biodegradable plastic if they have access to proper disposal systems and want to improve their environmental image. However, switching without a clear waste management strategy can increase costs without delivering real environmental benefits.
Recover Value From Your Plastic Scrap With Carlin Waste Recycling
Managing plastic waste doesn’t have to mean simply getting rid of it. It can mean getting something back from it!
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we help businesses turn plastic scrap into a resource instead of a cost. By connecting companies with the right recycling and processing partners, we make it easier to handle plastic waste efficiently, reduce landfill dependency, improve sustainability, and unlock financial returns depending on the material.
If your operation is still treating plastic as a disposal problem, there’s likely value sitting in your waste stream that you’re leaving on the table.
Get a quote now and we’ll assess your plastic waste stream and put together an offer that reflects current market value.
Biodegradable Plastic FAQs
How Long Does Biodegradable Plastic Take to Decompose?
The time it takes for biodegradable plastic to decompose depends on environmental conditions and material type.
In industrial composting facilities, it can take a few months. In natural environments, it may take several years.
Does Biodegradable Plastic Release Microplastics?
Yes, biodegradable plastic can release microplastics if it does not fully break down under the right conditions.
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