Microbial Ecology
Protocol for mapping of Biodegradable Plastics and Environmental Effects
Report no: VKM Bulletin 2025:11
Published: 20.03.2025
Key Message:
VKM will map research on the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastic. Key topics include degradation rate and material durability in various environmental types and geographic regions, effects on microbial ecology and activity, and ecotoxicological effects of materials and associated chemical substances.
This is a self-initiated project in which VKM aims to identify knowledge gaps and factors relevant for potential future risk and benefit assessments regarding the use of such products in Norway.
Background
The global production of bio-based plastics, including biodegradable plastics, has increased from 1.1 million tons in 2018 to 1.8 million tons in 2022 and is estimated to be more than double by 2025. It is expected that the use of biodegradable plastics will also increase in Norway in line with growing global market shares.
Biodegradable plastics are generally considered environmentally friendly, and various stakeholders see this diverse group of polymers as part of the solution to reducing plastic accumulation in the environment. Today, there are numerous plastic products on the market that claim to be biodegradable in the environment. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the composition of products marketed as biodegradable plastics, their degradation efficiency, and the environmental consequences of their intended use under Norwegian/Nordic conditions.
Project group:
- Gunhild Bødtker (Project lead)
- Claire Coutris
- Eva Denison
- Åsa Helene Frostegård
- Erik Joner
- Kaare Magne Nielsen
The assessment will be approved by the Panel for Microbial Ecology and is scheduled for completion in October 2025.
Facebook
LinkedIn
