Biodegradable Plastic

Abstract

Biodegradable plastics offer a promising pathway to mitigate Nigeria's mounting plastic pollution by substituting persistent, fossil-based polymers with materials derived from renewable feedstocks that can be mineralised under appropriate conditions. This review assesses the viability of biodegradable plastics as a sustainable and lasting solution to Nigeria’s plastic waste management challenge. It synthesises evidence on common biopolymers (PLA, PHA, starch blends, and cellulose derivatives), production routes, biodegradation mechanisms, and major application sectors, including packaging, agriculture, biomedicine, and consumer goods. The analysis highlights environmental benefits such as reduced persistent waste, potential soil health improvements, and lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions when locally sourced feedstocks are used. The economic opportunities identified include job creation across agriculture and manufacturing, cost savings in waste management where composting infrastructure exists, and value retention through local feedstock utilisation. However, the review emphasises critical barriers: high production costs, limited industrial composting and sorting infrastructure, weak regulatory standards and labels for compostability, low technical capacity for local polymer development, and public confusion over disposal pathways. Comparative policy lessons from Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa demonstrate that strong regulation, investment in composting infrastructure, public sensibilization, and industry engagement are key enablers for scaling biodegradable solutions. To realise benefits in Nigeria, the paper recommends creating clear standards and certification schemes, targeting subsidies or tax incentives to lower cost barriers, investing in industrial composting and digital sorting technologies, and providing formal support for informal waste collectors. The review provides a practical implementation roadmap and research priorities to guide policymakers, industry and researchers towards scalable, context-specific solutions that align with Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and international sustainability commitments. In conclusion, biodegradable plastics can contribute substantially to a circular plastics economy in Nigeria if implemented within an integrated framework that combines policy reform, infrastructure development, technological innovation, and sustained public education.