Biodegradable plastics are relatively reliable "degradable plastics"
The name "degradable plastics" actually misleads most ordinary consumers. People often think that this is an "environmentally friendly material" and that used "degradable plastic" products can be thrown away at will. In fact, the term "degradable plastics" appears to distinguish it from traditional plastics, and it does not mean that it can be quickly degraded in any environment. Experts warn that improper use of "degradable plastics" may bring more serious microplastic pollution.
For example, photodegradable plastics and thermo-oxidative degradable plastics, even if they begin to decompose, they may not disappear completely, but may become smaller plastics-microplastics.
A 2019 study showed that the global average person may ingest about 50,000 microplastics through food and drinking water each year, and the incomplete degradation of photodegradable plastics and thermo-oxidative degradable plastics may make this problem more serious. Therefore, at present, only biodegradable plastics are relatively reliable "degradable plastics."
Biodegradable plastics actually mean that plastics are gradually used by microorganisms under the action of their enzymes, and finally converted into water, carbon dioxide, biomass, and some inorganic salts, which are substances that do no harm to the environment. This process is called biodegradation. Plastics that meet this standard are called biodegradable plastics, generally called biodegradable plastics.
