As people become more aware of the damage plastic pollution is causing, alternatives like bioplastics are stepping in to replace petroleum-based single-use items. You’ve probably seen or used some of these bioplastic products without even realizing it. They often look and feel just like regular plastic, but the big difference is in how they’re made and how they break down once you’re done with them.
Bioplastics vs Traditional Plastics
Bioplastics | Traditional Plastics |
Plant-sourced | Fossil fuel based |
PLA #7 | #1 – #7 |
Low Carbon Emission | High Carbon Emission |
Compostable | Recyclable |
Degrades within months to years | Degrades within hundreds to thousands of years |
How They’re Made
Regular plastics come from non-renewable fossil fuels like crude oil, coal, and natural gas. These fuels are refined into petroleum products and then broken down into polymers, which are the building blocks of plastic. This process uses a lot of energy and produces a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions—about 3.4% of the total global emissions.
On the other hand, bioplastics are made from renewable plant sources like corn and sugarcane. Common ingredients include starch, cellulose, and lactic acid, which are all extracted from plants. Bioplastics usually release less carbon emissions throughout their lifecycle compared to traditional plastics. In some cases, they can even be made with zero net carbon emissions.
How Plastics and Bioplastics Act in the Environment
Even though traditional plastics and bioplastics are made from different materials, they both behave similarly in the environment.
Traditional plastics can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down. Instead of turning into natural substances like carbon dioxide and water, they break into tiny pieces called microplastics. These microplastics have been found in oceans, soil, and even in our drinking water. It’s like all the plastic ever made is still out there. No matter if it ends up in a landfill, the ocean, or a recycling center, it doesn’t really break down into its original parts.

The name “bioplastic” suggests that these products will decompose in days, weeks, or months, like an orange peel or a flower petal. But sadly, that’s not how most commercial bioplastics act when they end up as litter. Depending on how they’re made, they can take anywhere from several days to several years to break down. If these compostable plastics are thrown away in a landfill or littered, they might take just as long to decompose as traditional plastics do.
Why We Need Commercial Composting Facilities
Compostable plastics are a type of bioplastic made to break down in commercial composting facilities. These facilities can reach high temperatures and keep the right moisture levels needed to turn compostable plastics into compost. Unfortunately, these conditions can’t be met in nature, so these plastics won’t break down properly without a commercial composting setup. Plus, backyard composting piles usually don’t get hot enough to decompose compostable plastics easily.

Commercial composting facilities can also handle a lot more organic waste than individual or community composting setups. As compostable plastics become a popular alternative to traditional plastics, we’ll need larger composting facilities to manage all the extra organic waste.

It’s also important to remember that not all bioplastics are compostable. Don’t fall for greenwashing! If a product isn’t labeled as ASTM D6400, BPI-certified compostable, or PLA #7, it can’t be composted in commercial facilities. Be cautious of items labeled “biodegradable,” “bio-based,” or “plant-based,” as they may still be made from a mix of fossil fuels and plant materials.
Also Read: Best Reusable Water Bottles on the Market: Guide 2024
How to Tell the Difference
It can be tricky to tell the difference between bioplastics and traditional plastics. Bioplastics are designed to look almost identical to regular plastics so they can be used as replacements. Usually, these bioplastic options have a green stripe and/or a label showing what they’re made from. For instance, a compostable drink cup often has the number “7” inside a chasing arrows symbol, with “PLA” written underneath. In contrast, most traditional plastic cups just have the chasing arrows symbol and the numbers 1, 2, or 5.
If you don’t see “PLA #7” or a compostable certification on an item, it can’t be composted, even if it claims to be bio-based. If you’re not sure whether something is compostable or if it lacks a clear label, it’s best not to put it in your compost bin. It could contaminate the compostable waste stream.
