Researcher: Biobased, biodegradable polymers may not be as eco-friendly as you think

Posted on October 16, 2019 by DrRossH in BioPlastics, Landfills and Disposal, Plastic Waste News

Source: Researcher: Biobased, biodegradable polymers may not be as eco-friendly as you think

“Biobased” and “biodegradable” are terms that are bandied about universally when discussing solutions to the proliferation of polymer waste, according to Ramani Narayan, distinguished professor at Michigan State University.But both terms are useless unless people understand what they mean and how they work scientifically, Narayan told his audience in his keynote speech at the International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland Oct. 8.

“It is wrong, misleading and deceptive to use ‘biodegradable’ in an unqualified way,” Narayan said. In fact, careless use of the term in advertising is forbidden by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of California.

Australia has no such requirements and any one can claim biodegradability with out any substantiation.