Biodegradable plastics

Materials are referred to as biodegradable if they can be steadily broken down by microorganisms (e.g. bacteria or fungi) to form carbon dioxide and water. How long it takes for one of these plastics to biodegrade depends on external circumstances and time. The basis for biodegradable plastics is thermoplastic starch – primarily made from potatoes and maize – as well as polylactide (PLA) with a lactic acid base.