Not everything marked ‘biodegradable’ should go in your home compost bin.
Articles on Biodegradable plastics
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While non-plastic textiles are not as long-lived as plastics, they can last long enough to accumulate and cause damage to plants, animals and humans.
President Donald Trump has ordered his government to stop using paper straws. A better approach is to avoid using single-use products.
We know some marine microbes produce enzymes that can break down certain types of plastics. But new research found areas of high plastic pollution don’t show high concentrations of these enzymes.
Canada is seen as leading the way in banning single-use plastics. But how comprehensive are these actions, and how realistic is the dream of a zero-waste future?
The environmental awards gave cash to climate scientists, conservationists and inventors.
Biodegradable bags still strong enough to carry shopping after three years in the ground show that ‘biodegradability’ isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Don’t believe what you read on the label: ‘biodegradable’ bags might not break down in landfill.
Much of the trash on Canadian shorelines can be traced to five food companies. We could soon see more compostable and edible packaging.
New types of biodegradable or compostable plastic products seem to offer an alternative to conventional plastics. But they may be no better for the environment.
Plant-based, sustainable plastics may hold many of the answers to our plastic problems.
Top contributors
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Professor emeritus, Auckland University of Technology
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Post-Graduate Researcher and Food Education Manager, University of Guelph
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Professor in Molecular Biosciences, Deakin University
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PhD Student in Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Professor in Food Distribution and Policy, Dalhousie University
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Professor of Earth System Science, UCL
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Associate Professor in Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, University of Guelph
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PhD Researcher, Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath
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Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of York
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Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor in Research & Innovation, RMIT University
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Research Fellow Sustainable Consumption and Policy, Centre for Urban Research, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University
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ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow in Environmental Sociology, RMIT University
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PhD candidate, University of East Anglia
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Associate Research Fellow in Biomaterials, Deakin University
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Associate Professor, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University