Many manufacturers claim their bioplastics products break apart faster in the environment, are made from safer materials, and have smaller climate change impacts. But with no federal standards defining or regulating bioplastics, companies have free rein to label whatever they want as “biodegradable” and “compostable.” As you can imagine, this lack of regulation has led to misleading marketing meant to falsely convince the public that certain products are environmentally friendly.

So, are any bioplastics products good alternatives to regular plastic? And, if so, how can you tell? Beyond Plastics is filling that knowledge gap for consumers and businesses that are genuinely trying to make environmentally responsible decisions. Their new report, Demystifying Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics (released on July 11, 2024) provides an overview of the various bioplastics materials currently on the market, the voluntary standards that govern their design, and scientific research findings to date on their safety to help individuals make evaluations of their options. It also covers the waste management issues associated with bioplastics and provides a checklist to guide consumers and businesses in their decision-making as they assess alternatives to plastic.

Video by @StoryofStuff and @BeyondPlastics