High incidence of false biodegradability claims related to single-use plastic utensils sold in Brazil

• Published in: Sustainable production and consumption 2023-10, Vol.41, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Moreno, Beatriz Barbosa, Rodrigues, Beatriz Veneroso, Afonso, Letícia Regina, Jimenez, Paula Christine, Castro, Ítalo Braga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biodegradability; Biodegradation; bioplastics; Brazil; certification; Environment; Greenwashing; markets; Pollution; Polymer; Products; wastes
• ISSN: 2352-5509; 2352-5509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2023.07.024

Replacing single-use plastic with so-called biodegradable ones have emerged as part of suitable actions to reduce global environmental impacts. However, issues related to false claims and improper certification of single-use plastic utensils (SUP) claiming biodegradability have been reported in scientific literature. Still, greenwashing incidences have not been systematically evaluated, and such approach may be useful to produce information to guide a proper legislative framework within the sector. The present study aims to quantitatively estimate the incidence of greenwashing among single-use utensils offered for sale in the Brazilian market. The assessments were carried out in forty supermarkets localized in four Brazilian cities. The labels of SUP utensils claiming biodegradability were identified and carefully inspected considering claims, seals, composition, technical standards, and prices. Forty-nine different products were found claiming biodegradability, including cups, cutlery, straws, plates, trays, tablecloths, lids, balloons, party ware and jars. Expressions as “100% Eco Friendly”, “100 % Recyclable” and “Ecological and Biodegradable” were read on 42.9, 20.4 and 8.2 % of analyzed items, respectively. In addition, 93.8 % claimed to contain pro-oxidant additives (mostly d2w –[10.2 %] and Eco Ventures bioplastics + Go Green P-life [20.4 %]), being categorized as oxo-biodegradable materials, and 6.2 % were made of regular polymers with no additives. The technical standards ASTM D6954-04 and SPCR 141 were descripted by 40 and 16 labels, respectively. On average, products claiming biodegradability were 125 % more expensive than their equivalents. Considering that the biodegradability of oxo-polymers has been widely refuted by scientific literature, our results indicates that none of the products claiming biodegradability sold in Brazilian supermarkets are, in fact, biodegradable. These results indicate that legislative frameworks on production and sale of plastic utensils must adopt measures to combat greenwashing practices, especially in countries that are big generators of plastic waste like Brazil.