bioplastics
Compostable synthetic materials
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biological sources—corn starch, sugarcane, vegetable oils—rather than petroleum.
Some bioplastics are biodegradable, breaking down under certain conditions, though not all do.
The term sometimes includes petroleum-based plastics engineered to biodegrade.
The packaging industry has increasingly turned to bioplastics to reduce environmental impact.
Able to decompose naturally
- decomposableCapable of breaking apart
- degradableAble to decompose
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
Capable of restoration
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- low-carbonMinimal CO2 output
- plant-basedSourced from flora
Made from maize
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- caseinDairy phosphoprotein for industry
- ligninStructural plant polymer
Protective product enclosure
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- bottlesNarrow-necked liquid containers
- single-useFor one application only
- extrusionPushing through a die
False sustainability claims
- costRequired payment amount
- scalabilityCapacity for growth
- land-useHow property gets utilized
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
sorting · labeling · certification · performance · durability · infrastructure · standards · regulation
compostable
Able to decompose naturally
- decomposableCapable of breaking apart
- degradableAble to decompose
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
renewable
Capable of restoration
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- low-carbonMinimal CO2 output
corn-based
Made from maize
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
- thermoplasticHeat-softenable, repeatedly reshapable polymer
- caseinDairy phosphoprotein for industry
lignin · mycelium · monomer · polymerization · resin · pellet · film
packaging
Protective product enclosure
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- bottlesNarrow-necked liquid containers
- single-useFor one application only
greenwashing
False sustainability claims
- costRequired payment amount
- scalabilityCapacity for growth
- land-useHow property gets utilized
contamination · sorting · labeling · certification · performance · durability · infrastructure · standards · regulation
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- eco-friendlysustainable, fair trade, green, recyclable, compostable
- plasticspolymers, polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene
- bio-biography, biofuel, biochemistry, biotech, biotechnology
- eco materialshemp, organic cotton, bamboo fiber, jute, linen
- Ecodesignbiomimicry, circular economy, cradle-to-cradle, eco-friendly, life cycle