As environmental awareness grows, consumers are becoming more cautious about product packaging. Plastic packaging labeled as "degradable" is often perceived as a more responsible choice. However, behind this seemingly eco-friendly label may lie a carefully crafted "green trap." This article aims to thoroughly examine the concept, types, environmental impact, and alternatives of "degradable plastics" to help readers distinguish truth from fiction and make genuinely environmentally beneficial choices.

To understand the nature of "degradable plastics," we must first categorize plastic materials. Plastics are polymer materials primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elements, which can be shaped into various products through polymerization.

Conventional plastics, also known as fossil fuel plastics, are mainly derived from petroleum and natural gas. They are widely used due to their low cost and excellent performance. Common types include:

• Polyethylene (PE): Used for plastic bags, films, and containers.
• Polypropylene (PP): Known for strength and heat resistance, used in food packaging and medical devices.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Used in pipes, cables, and flooring.
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Used for beverage bottles and food packaging.
• Polystyrene (PS): Used in foam plastics and disposable tableware.

Despite their versatility, conventional plastics pose significant environmental challenges, including resource depletion, pollution during production, and long-term accumulation in nature causing "white pollution."

Bioplastics is a broad term encompassing materials that meet one or both of these criteria:

• Biobased: Derived from biomass like corn, sugarcane, or cellulose.
• Biodegradable: Can be broken down by microorganisms into natural substances.

Categories include pure biobased plastics (not necessarily biodegradable), biodegradable plastics (not necessarily biobased), and materials that are both (like PLA and PHAs). While offering renewable resources and reduced carbon emissions, bioplastics face challenges like higher costs, performance limitations, and specific degradation requirements.

The so-called "degradable plastics" are essentially conventional fossil fuel plastics (PE, PP, PET) with added pro-oxidants that accelerate fragmentation under light, heat, and oxygen exposure.

Metal salts (like cobalt or manganese) initiate a chain reaction that breaks polymers into smaller fragments through oxidation. However, this merely creates microplastics (particles smaller than 5mm) that persist in the environment, potentially entering food chains and causing ecological harm.

Marketing of these materials often misleads consumers into believing they're environmentally friendly, when in reality they exacerbate microplastic pollution. This practice, known as greenwashing, has led to regulatory actions in the EU, France, Italy, and parts of the US.

Unlike oxo-degradable plastics, compostable plastics must meet strict certification standards to ensure complete breakdown under specific composting conditions.

Industrial composting (requiring controlled temperature, humidity, and microbial activity) differs from home composting. Certification standards include:

• EN13432 (Europe): 90% decomposition within 12 weeks
• ASTM D6400 (North America): 60% decomposition within 180 days
• AS 4736 (Australia): 90% decomposition within 90 days
• NF T-51 800 (Home composting): 90% decomposition within 12 months

These include PLA (from plant starch), PHAs (bacterial fermentation products), and other plant-based polymers that meet certification requirements.

Consumers should prioritize:

• Reduction: Choosing unpackaged or minimally packaged goods
• Reusables: Opting for glass, metal, or fabric alternatives
• Verified bioplastics: Looking for legitimate "biobased" and "compostable" certifications
• Proper recycling: Ensuring correct waste sorting
• Lifecycle consideration: Evaluating products' full environmental impact

So-called "degradable plastics" often represent false solutions, potentially worsening microplastic pollution. Consumers must look beyond marketing claims to understand materials' true environmental impacts. Future solutions may involve advanced bioplastics and improved recycling technologies, but collective action from governments, businesses, and individuals remains essential for addressing plastic pollution effectively.

• Biobased: Derived from biological sources
• Biodegradable: Capable of microbial decomposition
• Compostable: Meets specific decomposition standards
• Microplastics: Plastic particles <5mm
• Greenwashing: Misleading environmental claims
• Pro-oxidant: Chemical additive for plastic fragmentation