Biodegradable Plastic Alternatives from Terrestrial Sources: Research, Technology Development, and Manufacturing in the Philippines

Plastic pollution in the Philippines is severe, and microplastics have entered its food web, posing serious health threats. One holistic strategy to address plastic pollution is the development of a sustainable and vibrant biodegradable bioplastic industry, supported and promoted by government policies and programs, with products that can be used as alternatives to petro-based, nonbiodegradable plastics that cause massive pollution. This study reports on the status of research and technology development and manufacturing of biodegradable plastic packaging materials derived from terrestrial sources such as plants, microorganisms, and agricultural wastes in the Philippines. Various researches on bioplastics production at different institutions, their resources such as funding, availability of equipment for analysis and for upscaling, and the lack of and limited time of researchers are reported. The country’s bioplastic industry remains in its early growing stage, with only two small manufacturers of bioplastics: OIKOS Sustainable Solutions and EcoNest Philippines. Both enterprises use starch pellets and technology imported from Indonesia to produce bioplastic films. Sources of cassava for the starch pellets were identified. Other local companies produce oxo-degradable plastics, which they wrongly brand as biodegradable. Policies to enhance and strengthen bioplastic research, technology development, and manufacturing using terrestrial sources in the country to be able to replace single-use plastics (SUPs) with biodegradable ones, ban oxo-degradable plastics, as well as promote proper solid waste management, involving the national and local governments, are presented.