Are Biodegradable Products a Scam?

“It says biodegradable. So, it must be safe for the environment, right?” Not so fast.

Welcome to another episode of #GreenTruthsWithSaadatu, where we unpack the good, the bad, and the misleading in the green world. Today, we’re peeling back the label on something we all think is green and clean: biodegradable products.

From shopping bags to packaging and even straws — biodegradable products are flooding the market. But are they really what they claim to be, or is “biodegradable” just the new greenwashing buzzword?

Let’s break it down:

What Does "Biodegradable" Really Mean?

At its core, biodegradable means that a product can be broken down naturally by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi into water, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and biomass.

But here’s the catch:

➡️ It doesn’t say when or under what conditions.

A biodegradable plastic cup may take 1 year or 100 years to degrade depending on heat, moisture, oxygen, and where it ends up. Many so-called “biodegradable” products still do not break down in landfills or water bodies, which is where most of our waste ends up.

Example:
The “Biodegradable” Bag Confusion in Ogun State

A Nigerian study conducted by researchers at Covenant University and Obafemi Awolowo University tested the environmental performance of biodegradable plastic blends made from maize starch (Zea mays) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These blends were buried in loamy sand soil typical of Ogun State — a common environment for waste disposal in Nigeria.

The results showed that while the starch-based plastic blends degraded progressively, the conventional LDPE-only plastics showed minimal to no degradation over the same period.

Interestingly, the 50:50 starch–LDPE blend exhibited the highest degradation rate among all tested samples, demonstrating that bioplastics can work, but only when properly formulated and suited to local conditions.

This study debunks the blanket assumption that anything labeled “biodegradable” will disappear magically. In fact, many products marketed as biodegradable in Nigerian markets do not contain enough natural polymers to actually break down — especially in open dumps or street-side drainage where sunlight, heat, and microbial action are inconsistent.

Biodegradable vs Compostable vs Oxo-degradable: Know the Difference

Let’s untangle the terms marketers use:

Term Meaning Real Deal or Greenwashing?

Biodegradable Breaks down naturally, but time and conditions vary 🚩 Often vague and misleading

Compostable Breaks down under specific composting conditions into non-toxic residue ✅ Better, but needs right facilities. Check out my previous post on Compostable ≠ Composted to gain more insight.

Oxo-degradable Contains additives to fragment plastic under sunlight/heat 🚫 Banned in the EU. Microplastic risk

Most Nigerian consumers and even retailers don’t know these differences. This confusion allows companies to exploit the "green" label without real accountability.

The Biodegradable Scam: Signs to Watch Out For

1. No Certification

Real compostable or biodegradable products are certified by bodies like TÜV Austria, BPI, or EN13432 (EU). If a product doesn’t list any certification, be skeptical.

2. Green Symbols Without Meaning

Leaves, recycling arrows, or “100% Natural” mean nothing without standards backing them up.

3. Hidden Plastics

Some “biodegradable” items still contain polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), which don’t fully degrade — they just break into microplastics.

4. No Information on Breakdown Time

If the product doesn’t say how long it takes to degrade or under what conditions, it’s likely a marketing gimmick.

What’s the Real Environmental Impact?

False sense of responsibility: People think they’re doing the right thing and don’t reduce consumption.
Microplastic pollution: Partial degradation can leave behind fragments that harm aquatic life and even enter our food.
Waste management mismatch: Nigeria lacks industrial composting facilities, so even genuine biodegradable items won’t degrade as intended.

So… Are All Biodegradable Products a Scam?

Not all — but many are misleading or ineffective in our current waste management systems.

To be genuinely useful, biodegradable products must:

✅ Be clearly labeled and certified

✅ Break down within a reasonable timeframe (weeks/months, not years)

✅ Not leave toxic residues or microplastics

✅ Match the reality of waste disposal in their intended location

Sadly, most of what we get in markets across Nigeria from biodegradable sachets to disposable spoons fail these tests.

What Should We Use Instead?

If we truly want to go green, we need to look beyond the label:

🌿 Reusable products: Cloth bags, stainless straws, reusable water bottles

🌿 Natural materials: Banana leaves, raffia, paper (uncoated), and cassava-based packaging

🌿 Circular habits: Repair, refill, repurpose

Remember: The most sustainable product is the one you didn’t buy in the first place.

Interactive Corner: Let’s Talk

QUESTION TO YOU:

Have you ever used a product labeled “biodegradable” that turned out to be fake or didn’t work as expected? Share your experience in the comments!

📸 CHALLENGE:

Take a photo of a “biodegradable” item you bought in Nigeria and post it with the hashtag #GreenTruthsWithSaadatu — let’s crowdsource the truth together!

Let’s Not Be Fooled by Green Labels

Biodegradable products are not inherently bad. But in Nigeria and many parts of the world, they’ve become a convenient lie that allows companies to appear eco-friendly without changing their harmful practices.

We deserve better.

Our environment deserves honesty.

And it starts with awareness — the kind we’re building right here on #GreenTruthsWithSaadatu.

📚 Reference

Abioye, A.A., Oluwadare, O.P., Obuekwe, C.C., Afolalu, A.S., Atanda, P.O. & Fajobi, M.A.

Environmental Impact on Biodegradation Speed and Biodegradability of Polyethylene–Zea mays Starch Blends.

Covenant University and Obafemi Awolowo University Study.

Available via 1library.net

Photo Credit: Meta AI

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