Action recommendations of the research project | PlastLIFE | September 2025
Threats and opportunities of biodegradable plastics Plastics are popular materials because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and durable. Plastics labeled as biodegradable are expected to degrade at the end of their lifecycle into carbon dioxide, water, and microbial biomass. Often, biodegradability is used to create an image of environmental friendliness, but this is not always the case.
• In Finnish environmental conditions and biogas plants, the degradation of
biodegradable plastics that meet current standards is too slow or insufficient.
• Biodegradable plastics also leave behind the chemicals they contain. Therefore, the use of biodegradable plastics may release even more chemicals into the environment than conventional plastics.
• Biodegradable plastics should only be used in applications where biodegradability is essential, for example in biowaste bags.
• EU biodegradability standards and certifications should be mandatory and
ensure the material’s degradation at the end of the product’s lifecycle, considering northern conditions (soil, water bodies, recycling facilities, home composting).
• The entry of plastics into fertiliser products must be prevented. The most effective
Photo: Salla Selonen
way to achieve this is by preventing plastics from ending up in biowaste already during the sorting phase.
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