Science & Tech

Biodegradable Plastic Guide: Explore the Pros, Cons, and Uses

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 4 min read

When scientists invented plastic, it was praised for being exceptionally durable—not breaking down naturally like organic matter. However, by the 1960s, researchers began to worry that plastic’s durable nature was a major problem contributing to landfills and ocean pollution. By the 1980s, scientists offered a new solution to plastic pollution: biodegradable plastic.