The idea that no bioplastics pollute with their waste is a misconception based on the belief that they all biodegrade or compost but, unfortunately, this is not true. Some bioplastics are neither biodegradable nor compostable, and their residues generate the same pollution problems as those derived from petroleum because they also produce micro and nano plastics during their decomposition. Bioplastics may come from biological material but are chemically the same as petroleum-derived plastic, the only thing that changes is the source from which they are obtained; for example, with Bio-polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET), the "Bio" only indicates that its origin is vegetable. This compound is neither biodegradable nor compostable, it is considered a bioplastic only because of its origin. The environmental benefit of this type of material is that, because it comes from a plant, a certain amount of carbon dioxide is captured during the production of its raw material (during the life of those plants). In general terms, the production process of bioplastics compared to petroleum-derived plastics has less of an environmental impact in terms of the balance of greenhouse gas emissions.

Bioplastics have several drawbacks. Some the raw materials they use are often also used for food, there is not enough production and their costs are higher than those of conventional plastics. It is often the consumer who has to absorb the price difference and is not in a position to do so, adding another reason why, so far, they have not been able to significantly displace petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are part of the solution to the problem of plastic pollution, as they generally have reduced environmental impacts in their production processes and, in some cases, because it is feasible to treat their waste, but they are not the only and absolute solution; the problem of plastic pollution is more complex and is still far from being completely solved. For these materials to reach their full potential, it will be essential to have regulations to regulate their production, certifications in terms of biodegradability and proper education for buyers to choose products that help in the conservation of the environment.

Finally, it should be remembered that pollution is mainly generated by the misuse of materials and poor disposal of their waste. The real problem is the abuse of plastic materials, whether they are biodegradable or not, since they are mainly used in containers, packaging and single-use products, and most of the time they are discarded not because they are useless or their useful life has ended, but because of the convenience of using and throwing away. Certain quantities of plastics can be recycled; however, when they are mixed with other types of waste they become contaminated and when different types of plastic are not adequately separated, this recycling becomes practically impossible. Nevertheless, the recycling of some bioplastics has not yet been trialed, not because it cannot be done, but because of the small quantities of these materials compared to conventional plastics, which makes it practically unaffordable. So, instead of blaming plastic materials for existing environmental pollution, we need to look closely at how we use resources and dispose of waste. No matter how many bioplastics or "environmentally friendly" materials there are, if we do not reduce the production of these types of materials and consequently their waste, there will be no real solutions. We need to be aware of what we consume, support initiatives that promote environmental care and demand the commitment of governments to legislate and enforce laws, as well as encouraging businesses to change their materials and production processes.