We created a new waste problem to fix the old one

Let’s be honest. Bioplastics were sold as the miracle cure — they would save the oceans, the turtles, and our guilty consciences. But the reality looks more like this: people throw them anywhere, recycling systems reject them, and composting plants kick them out like uninvited guests.

It’s like buying an electric car when your city still runs on diesel. The car works fine. The system doesn’t.

Italy is the best example. The government pushed bioplastics into every corner of daily life — bags, cups, cutlery — and now waste facilities are drowning in “compostable” materials that don’t compost. Some local authorities even tell citizens not to put them in the organic bin at all. Confused? Everyone is.

The label “compostable” is the new “recyclable” — nice word, no meaning

Manufacturers love the word compostable. It sells. It makes people feel good. But most industrial composting plants run on tight schedules — around six weeks — while bioplastics need months to break down. The result? They’re filtered out, mixed with real plastics, and burned for energy.

In short: the “green” label is just another marketing trick. The material doesn’t disappear; it just gets rebranded before going up in smoke.

Hydrothermal treatment: pressure-cooking our way out

Now, the scientists have an idea — and it’s clever. Filippo Marchelli and Luca Fiori from Italy suggest using hydrothermal treatment. In plain English: cook the waste under pressure, like a giant pressure cooker for trash.

This process breaks down stubborn materials, including bioplastics, and makes them easier to digest in biogas plants. The result? More methane, more renewable energy, less mess.

It sounds great, but it’s still in the lab. Before it works in real life, we’ll need to adapt our plants, test mixed waste streams, and make sure it doesn’t cost more than it saves.

Still, it’s the first time someone is talking about a real fix — not just slogans on packaging.

The truth nobody wants to hear

Bioplastics are not the enemy. But the system around them is broken. Politicians love to legislate before thinking. Companies love to greenwash before innovating. And consumers love to believe that one word — biodegradable — erases responsibility.

Here’s the truth: nothing is truly green if it ends up in the wrong bin.

If Europe wants bioplastics to work, it needs three things:

1. Education – stop lying to consumers about what “compostable” means.
2. Infrastructure – modernize waste plants to handle new materials.
3. Honesty – use biodegradable plastics only where they make sense, and not as a marketing toy.

Bottom line

Europe wanted to lead the green revolution but forgot to build the roads first.

Bioplastics are stuck in traffic — between confusion, bad policy, and old infrastructure.

If we don’t fix that, our “sustainable” future will still smell like burnt plastic.

Author

Brais Vázquez Vázquez, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Professional Profile

Chemist, teacher and PhD candidate focused on circular economy solutions for biopolymers. Experience in prospective and attributional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), laboratory research, polymer characterization, and waste management assessment. Skilled at integrating environmental, technical, and economic indicators to support decision-making for the recovery of waste streams.