In this article
Bioplastics attract strong opinions and a fair amount of confusion. Clear words help buyers make better choices, so here are five myths we hear most often and what is actually true.
Myth 1: Bio-based means biodegradable
Bio-based describes where part of a material comes from. Biodegradable describes whether, and under which conditions, a material can break down. The two are different properties. Plastic Move makes no biodegradability claim for its products, and they should never be left in nature.
Myth 2: Bio-based products are fragile and single-use
Durability comes from the formulation and the design, not from the origin of the feedstock. Our cutlery, straws and trays are made to be washed in a dishwasher and used again, provided appropriate cleaning and hygiene practices are followed.
Myth 3: Bio-based means plastic-free
Most bio-based products combine biological and conventional ingredients. Our material contains 60% bio-based content combined with plastic. The aim is to reduce the share of conventional fossil-based plastic while keeping the performance a foodservice product needs.
Myth 4: Bio-based is always lower carbon
Using less virgin fossil material can help, but the real climate impact of any product depends on its full life cycle: raw materials, production, transport, use, reuse and end of life. Reusing a product many times is one of the strongest levers available.
Myth 5: Bioplastics take food off the table
Not when the feedstock is a side stream. The starch-based content in PMBIO comes from industrial food production: off-spec or surplus bread and pasta and flour-based residues. These are production by-products, not crops grown for plastic and not household food waste.
