Biodegradable Bags: Not Really the Best Solution

One by one, retail chains are beginning to offer customers “biodegradable” packaging. What’s wrong with it?

As a rule, “biodegradable” bags are polyethylene bags with a special additive, such as d2w. It helps break the plastic into pieces under the influence of light and oxygen. But the problem is that small pieces of plastic are no better than one big piece. Additionally, at the landfills where packaging usually ends up after use, it is not possible to create conditions for decomposition, and the bags remain for many years. As a result, these bags are just a marketing move, which is essentially deceiving customers!

Some bags really decompose. They are made of special polymers and break down into carbon dioxide and water. But such packages will only decompose if they land in a favorable environment — that is, when they are buried in the soil.

The best way out of this situation is not to support retail chains and their pseudo-eco-initiatives but use a shopper or reusable bag instead.