Bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, and degradation in natural environments

The widespread manufacturing of traditional plastics and their use in various commercial applications endangers both fossil fuel sources and the environment. Bioplastics have emerged from the development of renewable resources to provide sustainable solutions. These polymers are more acceptable than conventional plastics because they use renewable resources such as agricultural wastes (rather than petroleum sources) and are biodegradable under various conditions. The physical and chemical structure of bioplastics significantly affects their biodegradability, and their environment plays a critical role in their biodegradation. This study summarizes recent discoveries related to bioplastic biodegradation under diverse settings, environmental circumstances, and degrees of biodegradation. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.