生物塑料——通常是由生物基聚合物制成的塑料——作为循环经济的一部分，将为更可持续的商业塑料生命周期做出贡献，其中原始聚合物由可再生或回收的原材料制成。碳中和能源用于生产，产品在使用寿命结束 (EOL) 时可重复使用或回收。在本综述中，我们评估了生物塑料在向循环经济转型过程中的优势和挑战。
与化石基塑料相比，生物基塑料可以具有更低的碳足迹并具有优越的材料性能；此外，它们可以与现有的回收流兼容，如果在受控或可预测的环境中执行，它们可以将生物降解作为 EOL 方案。然而，这些好处可能需要权衡取舍，包括对农业的负面影响、与粮食生产的竞争、EOL 管理不明确和更高的成本。新兴的化学和生物方法可以实现“升级循环” 将越来越多的异质塑料和生物塑料废物转化为更高质量的材料。
为了指导加工商和消费者的购买选择，现有的（生物）塑料识别标准和生命周期评估指南需要修订和同质化。此外，明确的监管和财政激励措施对于从利基聚合物扩展到具有真正可持续影响的大规模生物塑料市场应用仍然至关重要。
Bioplastics - typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers - stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy, in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Carbon-neutral energy is used for production and products are reused or recycled at their end of life (EOL). In this Review, we assess the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy. Compared with fossil-based plastics, bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint and exhibit advantageous materials properties; moreover, they can be compatible with existing recycling streams and some offer biodegradation as an EOL scenario if performed in controlled or predictable environments. However, these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the 'upcycling' of increasing volumes of heterogeneous plastic and bioplastic waste into higher-quality materials. To guide converters and consumers in their purchasing choices, existing (bio)plastic identification standards and life cycle assessment guidelines need revision and homogenization. Furthermore, clear regulation and financial incentives remain essential to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with truly sustainable impact.
