background image

Is biodegradable plastic really a thing?

author image

By illuminem briefings

· 1 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The New York Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Biodegradable plastic exists but often requires specific conditions to break down, which are not widely available
•  Most biodegradable plastics like PLA need industrial composting to degrade properly
•  Without these conditions, they may end up in landfills or oceans, contributing to pollution

🔭 The context: Industrial composting facilities, necessary for biodegradable plastics, are scarce in the U.S.
• Consequently, biodegradable plastics often fail to decompose as intended
• This complexity about plastic recycling  misleads consumers and complicates recycling processes

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Misuse of biodegradable plastics can exacerbate environmental pollution
• Proper degradation is essential to reducing plastic waste's long-term impact and mitigating climate change

⏭️ What's next: Research is ongoing to develop more effective biodegradable plastics
•  Innovations include plastics made from corncobs and cheese waste byproducts, aiming to improve degradation rates and reduce production costs

💬 One quote: “It’s complicated, because biodegradability changes depending on where you’re at and what happens to your plastic,” said George W. Huber, University of Wisconsin-Madison

📈 One stat: According to UNEP, the world produces 430 million metric tons of plastic annually, with only 9% being recycled

Click for more news covering the latest on environmental pollution

Did you enjoy this illuminem voice? Support us by sharing this article!
author photo

About the author

illuminem's editorial team - providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day.

Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

Other illuminem Voices


Related Posts


You cannot miss it!

Weekly. Free. Your Top 10 Sustainability & Energy Posts.

You can unsubscribe at any time (read our privacy policy)