Be In-The-Know about Bio-Based Plastics
Blog Article by Adele B., UCRRA Master Composter Master Recycler Volunteer (Class of 2025)
March 2nd 2026
The world is moving towards a global circular economy which means innovations in bio-based materials. As the global plastic crisis continues to grow, studies show that conventional plastics are set to become 13% of the global carbon budget by 2050. This is leading consumers to make more eco-friendly choices and pushing manufacturers to re-evaluate more sustainable options for their product packaging materials. Worldwide plastics-related polices are becoming increasingly stringent and pushing the plastic industry to explore environmentally friendly materials that replicate the properties and performance of petro-based plastics (Schafer, 2024, p. 2). Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are at the forefront of these greener materials and in the 1990’s were often touted as our answer to the plastic crisis, however, there is an underlying confusion for consumers because there is no clear-cut definition for what biobased entails and very little guidance for proper end-of-life strategies.
What’s the difference?
Conventional plastics are made up of oil and natural gas while bioplastics are made up from any number of varied materials such as corn, sugar, beets and potato starch. Bioplastics can be categorized as bio-based and non-biodegradable, bio-based and biodegradable, or even fossil-based and biodegradable (Gazeu, 2025 p. 1). There is an indiscriminate use of the term “bioplastic” to describe both industrially synthesized bio-based polymers and naturally occurring polymers. Since naturally derived polymers lack the synthetic chain that is typical of fossil-derived bio-based plastics they should be labeled as biopolymers rather than plastics (Gazeu 2025).
The difference between biodegradable and compostable plastics adds another complex layer to the already confusing nomenclature. Biodegradable plastics breakdown when exposed to carbon dioxide or water but can leave behind chemical residue or microplastics if the proper conditions are not met. Compostable plastics are their own subset and adhere to standards whereby total breakdown is achieved under controlled conditions. Unfortunately, it is difficult for the average consumer to discern that from a packaging label and the differences in base materials also means that they each require special consideration as they pass through the municipal waste stream.
Some bioplastics are created using renewable resources whereas other bioplastics such as bio-PET and bio-PE are nearly identical to conventional plastics but use only partial renewable resources. Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle™ PET originally contained approximately 20% bio-based content (bio-derived ethylene glycol), but the remainder is made up of fossil-derived terephthalic acid.
Are bio-based products truly better for the planet?
While biomaterials do reduce the amount of carbon in the materials system and can integrate into existing recycling streams, they do not decompose naturally which raises concerns about downstream sustainability (Gazeu 2025). Extensive studies have found that bioplastics can be just as harmful as conventional plastics when proper end-of-life strategies are not followed. According to studies conducted in 2020 in Germany and Norway, bio plastics contain over a one hundred chemical features and can exhibit toxicity levels comparable to petro plastics (Gazeu, 2025, p.5).
Even though nano and microplastics left behind by biodegradable plastic are often temporary in the environment, they can easily migrate and interact with other contaminants such as metals and persistent organic pollutants (Serrano, 2024). This mismanagement of materials can also lead to contamination in recycling chains. Rolling out green materials without consideration for the production and exploration regarding updated waste management streams negates the benefits that biomaterials could have in the circular economy. This leaves consumers vulnerable to greenwashing that promises an ecofriendly product but does not deliver.
The modern consumer who considers themselves eco-savvy and are eager to make environmentally friendly choices can fall prey to the greenwashing tactics by companies that are flooding the market. The term “greenwashing” was first coined by Jay Westerfield’s essay which deduced that “claiming reuse principally had a positive environmental impact when economic savings were driving the initiative” (Gonçalves, 2024). This type of marketing makes consumers feel that just purchasing an ‘eco-friendly’ product is enough to reach those eco-friendly goals but often consumers fail to follow through on proper waste management leading bio plastics to end up in landfills which causes the environmental footprint to shift rather than shrink (Schafer 2024 p. 2).
There are also concerns about increased pressure on food stock and water supplies regarding the use of agricultural materials for bioplastic production (Schafer 2025). Even with innovations that are driving the bioplastic market, production costs remain high in comparison to petrochemical plastics and scalability issues hinder market competitiveness. Industrial composting facilities are rare and often they are not a viable option for the average consumer (Schafer 2025). The notion of sustainability has been appropriated and manipulated by manufacturers leaving consumers with the burden of disposal.
What can we do?
Bioplastics do have clear and obvious benefits, and can help reduce environmental pollution. However, societal norms regarding their disposal convenience does not align with the principles and values of a true circular economy. Ultimately, choosing compostable or bio-based packaging is still a single use disposable product that will end up in landfills or incinerators when industrial scale composting solutions are not readily available. Even large scale composters struggle to meet the technical requirements needed for these types of packaging to fully decompose, which is why it’s often best to avoid any single use items wherever possible and become educated about what your local community composting programs can and cannot accept.
If you practice home composting, it may be best to avoid bio-based plastics altogether and only attempt to compost an occasional paper-based and certified compostable paper product. You will quickly find that home composting is not hot enough to break these materials down quickly, and the paper plates or take out containers may linger in your compost bin for longer than you’d like. Try ripping the paper items into smaller pieces and making sure they are very wet in the compost pile, as this might help.
Local business owners who truly want to make a difference can look for more durable, reusable food service options wherever possible. The “break even point” that justifies the costs of switching to reusables often adds up pretty quickly and will create a more elevated dining experience for customers. Businesses who give out compostable products to their customers can also work to become more educated on the consumer confusion issues and work to better choices, like adding composting services.
Lastly, pushing for tighter industry regulations for improved product labeling would significantly improve recycling standards so that bioplastics can support an eco-friendly economy instead of working against it!
This blog was written by UCRRA MCR Volunteer Adele B. Learn more about the Master Composter-Recycler Program on our webpage linked here.
Works Cited
Gazeau, B., Zaman, A., Pacini, H., & Khan, M. A. (2025). “Clarifying the Taxonomy of Plastics and Bioplastics: Toward a ‘Zero-Trace Plastic’ (ZTP) Material Framework”. Sustainability, 17(15). http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su17156763
Gonçalves, B., Green, D., Kraczon, K., & Weiss, T. (2024). “Greenwashing Revelations through Revision: Re-evaluating Sustainability Claims for Bioplastics”. Studies in Conservation, 69(51), 108-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2024.2342162
Schäfer, Leonie. (2025). “Is There Hope to Switch Traditional Plastics into Sustainable?”. Science Insights. 47(2), 1913 -1917. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.25.pe253
Serrano‐Aguirre, Lara and Prieto. M. Auxiliadora. (2024). “Can bioplastics always offer a truly sustainable alternative to fossil‐based plastics?”. Microbial Biotechnology, 17(4), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.14458
