Executive Summary

As the world wakes up to the pros and cons of single-use plastic, manufacturers, restaurateurs, caterers, and retailers have rushed to replace them with products labeled as “compostable,” “biodegradable,” “environmentally friendly,”or “plant-based.” But many are unaware that plastics made from bio-based materials are not necessarily biodegradable or compostable. Plastics labeled as “biodegradable” can be made from fossil fuels. Compostable plastics may only break down in industrial facilities, not in the compost heap at the end of someone’s garden. Such confusion has led to skepticism and claims that companies are using such terms to “greenwash,” though they can be better for the environment in specific applications. Substituting conventional plastics with bioplastics alone will not address the plastic waste challenge.

To safeguard against reputational risks, company claims relating to the biodegradability of bioplastics need to be specific, accurate, relevant, and truthful, especially in the context of imminent regulatory intervention to standardize definitions of bioplastics.