Plastics are versatile and cheap materials which are used in a huge variety of different ways in modern life. Comparatively strong whilst being light and flexible, the synthetic chemicals are utilised in everything from packaging to furniture production.

 

Due to their nature as synthetic chemicals, however, plastics have long caused environmental problems when they are disposed of incorrectly. Liable to hang around for long periods of time without breaking down, waste plastic can be hazardous to wildlife, generally pollute the natural world and even create a health hazard.

 

For those very reasons, there has recently been a significant move towards the production of more environmentally friendly options known as biodegradable plastics. That term, however, is one which is not as straightforward as it may seem and demands a little more investigation.