Most of us try our best to reduce single-use plastic and make sustainable swaps whenever we can. But what if some swaps aren’t what they seem? At first glance, bioplastics, or plastic products advertised as compostable or biodegradable, seem like a great alternative to regular plastics because they perform like plastic but are “eco-friendly.”

Unfortunately, there are currently no federal regulations on bioplastics, which leads to a lack of transparency and brands making bold sustainability claims without the science or certifications to back them up. This causes widespread confusion and greenwashing. Not to mention, some of these bioplastics can take hundreds of years to degrade and can be more toxic than conventional plastic. With bioplastic production expected to triple by 2028, it is important for businesses and consumers to be informed about bioplastic so they can make the most informed decision possible when choosing foodware.

What Is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when companies label and market products as environmentally friendly without actually providing an environmental benefit. To make matters worse, these products are often more expensive than the ones they intend to replace.

What Are Bioplastics?

There is no universal definition for ‘bioplastic,’ but Surfrider uses bioplastic as an umbrella term to describe plastics that are:

  1. Completely or partially made from plant material such as corn, agave, or sugar cane. There is often no indicator to state what percentage of the plastic is made from plants. The rest of the material could be made from or blended with conventional fossil fuel-based plastic.
  2. Marketed as biodegradable or compostable. They may or may not biodegrade or compost, depending on how a product is made and conditions in which the product is disposed of.
  3. Fossil fuel-based plastic that has been combined with additives to become biodegradable over various time frames.

Common Types of Bioplastic

Here are a few types of bioplastics commonly found on the market today:

PLA

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a type of bio-based plastic typically made through chemical processes using sugarcane or corn.

PHA & PHB

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) are produced by microbial fermentation using various feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, sugars, starches, or methane.

PLA vs. PHA

PLA is made through chemical processes, whereas PHA and PHB are made primarily through fermentation. PLA isn’t always compostable, but when it is, it requires a specialized compost facility to break down. Alternatively, some PHA and PHB products may be certified home compostable. PHA and PHB products on the market vary widely.

Read the full article about misconceptions about bioplastics by CJ O'Brien Weddle at Surfrider Foundation.