Biodegradable plastic performance and degradation behavior in environmental conditions relevant to food packaging systems

Abstract

Biodegradable plastics are increasingly promoted as sustainable alternatives to conventional polymers used in food packaging, yet their real environmental performance remains dependent on specific degradation conditions. Recent concerns regarding plastic accumulation in soil and aquatic systems highlight the need to assess whether biodegradable plastics truly offer advantages over traditional materials. The objective of this study is to evaluate the degradation behavior of a biodegradable food-grade plastic compared with paper, conventional plastic, aluminum, and polyethylene in soil, distilled water, and compost, under controlled laboratory conditions.