Unpacking Non-Conventional Plastics

As the debate on plastic pollution heats up, non-conventional plastics including biodegradable, bio-based, compostable and oxo-degradable are sometimes promoted as sustainable alternatives as companies and policy-makers look to shift away from polymers derived from fossil fuels.

This briefing gives an overview of four commonly considered non-conventional plastics, assessing how far they present a sustainable solution.

With no finished product yet proven to be marine-biodegradable, all alternatives will continue to pose a risk to marine life if they leak into the natural environment.

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