“Degradable” is a great example of a magic word that makes all around it appear virtuous. However, “degradable” products such as those referenced above that require destablizer additives don’t lead to biodegration.

Or, at least the manufacturers fail to prove it happens in 3rd party, scientifically accepted tests such as ATSM D6868 or ASTM D6400. The Biodegradable Products Institute, http://www.bpiworld.org, publishes a list of products that have been certified to biodegrade, as documented by independent, 3rd testing labs.

They also limit the secondary applications for recycled plastic to those that only need to survive for a few months as opposed to a longer-lasting secondary use like carpets.

The same is true for composters: millions of tiny flakes of plastic reduces the quality of each batch of finished compost mulch, driving down selling prices and economic sustainability.

The truth is that these quasi-degradables cause as many environmental problems as they claim to solve. They are best thought of as niche solutions that don’t make our world any greener.