Recent updates on biodegradability and recyclability of bioplastics - Towards a new era in sustainability

Abstract

Bioplastics, or plastics made from renewable sources, are often touted as a solution to the problems of plastic pollution and resource depletion, but this is not always the case. Growing bioplastics production, regardless of biodegradability, necessitates efficient end-of-life procedures for bioplastic waste if a genuinely sustainable plastics economy is to be achieved. There is a strong correlation between the biodegradability of bioplastics and their molecular and atomic composition. However, their biodegradation is heavily influenced by the local ecosystem. This study summarizes the most up-to-date information regarding the biodegradation and recycling of bioplastics in a variety of environmental conditions, and degrees of biodegradation, as well as the microorganisms isolated from various microbial communities that are capable of bioplastic degradation.