To some people, the name “bioplastics” may sound like futuristic or science fiction, but it is not. The first man-made plastic introduced in 1862 was bioplastic, which means it was made from renewable resource.
Bioplastics can be biobased (from renewable resources), biodegradable (able to break down naturally), or both. Biodegradable bioplastics are as durable as other types of plastics because they can only be decomposed under certain conditions.
On the bioplastic container decomposed on the shelf. How they are broken down depends on their purpose. For example, some bioplastics used in disposable packaging or food bags can be composted at home. Composting is much larger than household composting and requires more active management than household composting.
You may have been using certain bioplastics in your home for some time. One example you might encounter is a bottle of washing powder. So, why is bioplastics so important? Because they are made from renewable and/or biodegradable resources, help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, support sustainable development plans, and enable manufacturers to diversify feedstocks.