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Plastics, Bioplastics and Water Pollution
Summary
This review synthesizes what is known about microplastic occurrence in aquatic systems and assesses whether bioplastics and biodegradable materials could meaningfully reduce plastic pollution. It concludes that while bioplastics hold promise, their environmental fate varies widely and they are not a simple solution without improved waste management infrastructure.
Microplastics are a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that can potentially pose a threat to both aquatic organisms and to human health. Prevention methods are pivotal to microplastic mitigation, and new trends are emerging, that include a growing industry of alternative materials. Bioplastics and biodegradable products are emerging as a possible solution to mitigate pollution from petroleum-based single-use and limited-use items. The paper presents findings on the occurrence of plastics and microplastics in aquatic systems, on the composition and biodegradability of bioplastics, and on the potential of bioplastics to provide a solution to plastic pollution.