Part 4/9:
The rise of biodegradable plastics, appearing in the 1980s as an alternative to traditional plastics, has marked a significant advancement in material innovation. However, these plastics may also include harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment. Superficial labeling, such as “made with biodegradable plastic,” can mislead consumers about the true ecological footprint of the product. In California, measures have been taken to ban terms like “biodegradable” on plastic packaging to curb marketing that could lead to consumer confusion.