Certified Biodegradable Plastics Break Down in Soil and Composting Facilities
Certified biodegradable plastics break down in soil and composting facilities, undergoing mineralisation rather than accumulating as persistent microplastics.
A report by BB-REG-NET, the UK regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials, found that certified biodegradable materials mineralise through microbial activity.
- Agricultural mulch films
- Tree guards
- Composting applications
Certified biodegradable plastics do not contribute to long-term microplastic pollution in agricultural soils and composting systems.
The report examined evidence from across Europe, including industrial composting facilities, and found that biodegradable materials initially fragment into microplastics during breakdown, but these particles continue to biodegrade and mineralise into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
Author's summary: Certified biodegradable plastics break down safely.