Microplastics and their potential environmental and health impacts have been of growing concern in recent years. Everything, including every material originated in or produced by nature, will eventually abrade or degrade. This is just as much true for plants that will turn into humus, as it is for mountains and rocks that will, over the course of many centuries, grind down to the size of sand corns and smaller. The same is true for all man-made materials, including synthetic polymers and plastics. The only difference is that the latter will not easily be incorporated back into the natural cycle – as this is not their natural origin – but will persist in the environment for a longer period of time.

In view of the fact that these microplastics can cause harm to the environment and human health, biodegradable plastics and polymers are gaining more significance as a potential solution. Although biodegradable and compostable plastics do – as all solid materials – produce small particles through abrasion when in use, they are not the same kind of persisten