Definition: An umbrella term for materials that do not occur naturally and that are typically created through the chemical polymerization of organic substances of biological origin.

Categories:

• Bio-based and biodegradable: Examples include  PLA, PHA
• Bio-based and non-biodegradable: Examples include Bio-PET
• Fossil-based and biodegradable 

Disposal

• Many bioplastics can be disposed of by either industrial / commercial composting.
• Some bioplastics such as those created through physical / mechanical fermentation processes can be disposed of through home / residential / municipal composting programs. In these cases, Oceanic Global does not consider these items “plastic”, and this would be considered an organic, non-plastic material.

Blue Call out:
The Blue Standard recognizes that not all bioplastics are produced through chemical polymerization — those produced without (via physical or fermentation processes) are not considered ‘plastic’ within the criteria.

Bioplastics contain fewer toxins than their fossil-fuel-based counterparts and are less reliant on the fossil fuel industry. However, microplastic fragments can still aggregate harmful chemicals in the ocean which accumulate up the food chain.

Definition: A type of bioplastic & an umbrella term for materials that do not occur naturally, that are either fully or partially created through the chemical polymerization of renewable organic materials of biological origin (such as plants or  biomass).

Disposal

• This term focuses on the origin of the raw materials but does not necessarily imply that the material is compostable or biodegradable, so always check how the specific item needs to be treated at end of life.
  
  For example, a bio-based PET bottle made from plant-derived ethylene glycol behaves like conventional PET in terms of end-of-life.

Blue Call out:
The Blue Standard recognizes that not all bio-based plastics are produced through chemical polymerization — those produced without (via physical or fermentation processes) are not considered ‘plastic’ within the criteria.

Bio-based plastics can contain fewer toxins than their fossil-fuel-based counterparts and are less reliant on the fossil fuel industry. However, microplastic fragments can still aggregate harmful chemicals in the ocean which accumulate up the food chain.

Definition: A type of bioplastic & an umbrella term for materials that do not occur naturally and that are typically created through the chemical polymerization of organic substances of plant-based origin.

Disposal

• Many plant-based plastics  can be disposed of by either industrial / commercial composting.
• Some plant-based plastics such as those created through physical / mechanical fermentation processes can be disposed of through home / residential / municipal composting programs.

Blue Call out:
The Blue Standard recognizes that not all plant-based plastics are produced through chemical polymerization — those produced without (via physical or fermentation processes) are not considered ‘plastic’ within the criteria.

Definition: Fossil-based plastic is an umbrella term for materials that do not occur naturally and that are created through the chemical polymerization of organic substances of fossil fuel-based origin, including petroleum & natural gas.

Examples Of Fossil-Based Plastic:

• PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
• PP (Polypropylene)
• PS (Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
• PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

Disposal

•  Check locally: Only certain types of plastic can be recycled and this varies depending on local waste management and recycling infrastructure – so always check with your specific waste hauler in your region.  
• Generally Recyclable: Hard plastics like bottles and containers.
• Usually Not Recyclable: Flexible plastics (e.g., ziploc bags, wrappers), Styrofoam, and black plastics.
• Specialized Centers: There are specialized centers that accept typically non-recyclable items – check with your local facilities to find a spot near you!
• Sorting: Plastic must be sorted according to local recycling guidelines and to avoid contamination. Only a fraction of plastics are actually recycled at end-of-life, and most are sent to landfills or incinerators.

Blue Call out:
Plastic recycling is largely greenwashing, in the U.S. less than 5% of the plastic collected for recycling actually gets recycled. Even if in the rare cases that plastic is successfully collected and recycled, plastic is degraded with each life cycle so is not infinitely recyclable. Oceanic Global does not view plastic recycling as a viable solution for a resilient future.

Definition: There is no universally- recognized definition or standard regulatory framework for the term ‘biodegradable’ in relation to plastic materials.  Biodegradability depends on the chemical structure of the material, not just its source. As such, this term is often misused and carries little meaning.

Disposal

• Because of the lack of clarity in definition, it is unclear from the term alone how materials need to be treated at their end-of-life. Materials may require a wide range of waste management treatments from residential composting, industrial composting, recycling, or landfill, depending on their source.

Definition: The term “compostable” refers to a material or product’s ability to break down into natural, non-toxic substances in a composting environment, under specific conditions including temperature, microbial activity, aeration, moisture, carbon to nitrogen ratio and  time.

Composting Methods:

Home / Residential / Backyard Composting

• The term “home compostable” refers to a material or product’s ability to break down into natural, non-toxic substances in a home or residential composting environment, under specific conditions including temperature, microbial activity, aeration, moisture, carbon to nitrogen ratio and time. Home composting conditions tend to be smaller-scale in less controlled environments.
• There are certifications and globally recognized standards for home composting requirements including the TUV Home Compost and Composting Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) standards to offer assurance that a product is compatible with residential composting infrastructure.  

Industrial / Commercial Composting

• Commercial or industrial composting facilities offer more optimized and  controlled conditions to break down organic waste, reaching temperatures of up to 130-160 degrees Fahrenheit with a supportive microbial environment. As a result, commercial or industrial composting can break down a wider range of materials, including certain bioplastics.

Blue Callout:
If the term “compostable” is used without reference to it being an industrial process, you should still assume that the “compostable” materials in question will only break down in the more demanding industrial setting, and not in backyard composting. Additionally, most compostable plastics are not accepted at recycling facilities and will contaminate recycling streams.

Definition: Oxo-degradable or “Dissolvable” plastic is a term typically used for fossil-fuel-based plastic products that are made with additives that accelerate their breakdown into smaller plastic pieces when exposed to oxygen, heat, UV light or water. 

Disposal

• Always check labels and your local waste management infrastructure. While most of these plastics can be recycled, it’s crucial to understand the specifics for your region.

Blue Callout:

Accelerates Microplastics: While these plastics break down faster, they create microplastics, which are harmful to human, animal, and environmental health.

Definition: typically defined as plastic particles between 1 nanometer and 5 millimeters in size. Particles larger than 5 mm are called macroplastics, while those smaller than 1 nm are nanoplastics. The defining feature of microplastics is their size, though they vary in composition and shape, appearing as fibers, films, foams, beads, pellets, and fragments. 

Impact: Microplastics and nanoplastics can be ingested through water, food, or soil and can accumulate in the food chain, eventually reaching humans.

Disclaimer & Sources: This list of terms has been carefully assembled with the help of scientific advisors and cross-checked with leading industry experts & organizations.

Buzzwords like “eco-friendly”, “green”, or even “plastic-free” can be misleading. These terms aren’t regulated and often lack clear definitions. Unless a claim is backed by data or third-party verification, it’s likely just marketing.

Look for specifics: trusted companies will explain exactly how their product reduces impact, not just say it does.