PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND — Researchers from the University of Plymouth found that some biodegradable bags do not break down even after three years of natural exposure.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that it could take hundreds of years for human-made products to breakdown, depending on the type of materials they're made from and the conditions they are exposed to.
Biodegradable plastic bags seem to be an eco-friendly answer to our plastic problem, but a recent study has revealed that they may not be living up to the hype.
According to the study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, they compared five different types of bags: two kinds of oxo-biodegradable bags, a biodegradable bag, a compostable bag, and a normal plastic bag.
The team exposed the bags to air, water, and soil for extended periods of time to test their rate of degradation.
Results showed that after three years of exposure to soil, the biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable and normal plastic bags could still be used to carry things without breaking apart.
The compostable bag broke down completely in water within three months but was still present in soil after 27 months of exposure.
Truth is, just buying and using biodegradable products doesn't ensure these will break down more easily. The researchers emphasized that a lot of it has to do with how you dispose of said products.
For example, compostable bags do breakdown if they are, well, disposed of in compostable waste, but not all countries have compostable waste systems.
Richard Thompson, a professor involved in the research said in a press release, "It concerns me that these novel materials also present challenges in recycling. Our study emphasizes the need for standards relating to degradable materials, clearly outlining the appropriate disposal pathway and rates of degradation that can be expected."
