Biodegradable plastics can be classified depending on their origin, method of manufacture and chemical composition, but fall into three main groups: biodegradable plastics made from renewable sources, biodegradable plastics from non-renewable (fossil) sources, and biodegradable plastics made from a combination of both sources.
Bioplastics are normally made from living organisms, not fossil fuels, and are often referred to as being sustainable grades. However, some petroleum-based plastics can be modified to be biodegradable and these grades can also be considered to be bioplastics. Most of today’s most popular bioplastics are made from sugar cane, corn, potato starch, cellulosic feedstocks, lignin, and oils, though there are many other feedstocks.
