New tests reveal some plastic bags that are meant to be 'biodegradable' can still carry a full load of shopping years after they were thrown away Even after three years some plastic biodegradable bags could carry shopping Scientists from the University of Plymouth tested ones from high street retailers The 'environmental' bags are considered a way to tackle plastic pollution
By Colin Fernandez Environment Correspondent For The Daily Mail
Published: 00:26 BST, 29 April 2019 | Updated: 00:27 BST, 29 April 2019
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Plastic bags that claim to be ‘biodegradable’ were still capable of carrying a full load of shopping three years after they were thrown away.
So-called biodegradables are seen by some as a solution to plastic pollution, as they are supposed to decompose if they wash into the sea or are buried in landfill.
But tests showed that even after three years some of the bags remained intact. And researchers fear labelling bags ‘biodegradable’ could encourage littering and deter recycling, as people do not believe they pose a threat to the environment and throw them away.
