The Misleading Truth About Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics: Critical Analysis of Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Alternatives

This study provides a critical analysis of oxo-biodegradable polymers, widely promoted as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Although these materials contain additives that accelerate polymer fragmentation under the action of light, heat, and oxygen, the data collected demonstrate that this process does not result in complete biodegradation. On the contrary, the formation of microplastics is evident—microscopic particles that are highly persistent, contaminating, and difficult to remove, and represent one of the most dangerous forms of environmental pollution. In addition to being ineffective in natural environments, oxo-biodegradables compromise the recycling chain, promote environmental misinformation, and favor greenwashing practices. The research was conducted through a literature review between 2020 and 2025, based on platforms such as SciELO and Google Scholar. It is concluded that such polymers do not eliminate the problem of plastic waste but rather aggravate it in a more subtle and dangerous way, requiring the abandonment of palliative solutions and the adoption of policies aimed at reducing consumption, strengthening the circular economy and environmental responsibility.