biodegradable plastic
Earth-friendly synthetic material
Biodegradable plastic is plastic designed to break down through natural biological processes, unlike conventional plastics that persist in the environment for centuries.
The term covers materials that decompose under specific conditions—some require industrial composting facilities, others break down in soil or marine environments.
Marketing claims about biodegradability vary widely in accuracy: The packaging says biodegradable, but it only breaks down in specialized facilities.
- bioplasticPlant-derived synthetic material
- plant basedDerived from vegetation
- corn starchFine cereal-derived thickening agent
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
composting · compost bin · food waste · alginate · medical implants · shopping bags · single use · photodegradation · packaging materials · hydrolysis · textile fibers · straws · bags · carbon footprint reduction · oxidation · resin · monomer · starch
- Bioplasticsbioplastics, PBS
- plasticsplastics, polymers, polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene
- ecomaterialsbamboo flooring, cork, cork flooring, reclaimed wood, recycled glass
- Green Resourcessolar power, wind power, hydropower, biomass, biofuel
- biomaterialscollagen, titanium implants, silicone, scaffolds, dental implants
- polymerspolymer, elastomers, monomer, polyurethane foam, silicone rubber
biodegradable plasticPVC
Chlorinated plastic abbreviation
polyethylene · polystyrene · microplastics · forever chemicals · single-use plastic
biodegradable plasticocean plastic
Discarded polymers in seawater
plastic pollution · landfill waste · environmental pollutant · toxic waste · marine debris