This review pulls together two decades of research on how bioplastics called PHAs break down in nature, showing that their structure and environment determine whether they vanish in months or linger for years. That matters because PHAs are marketed as a biodegradable alternative to plastic, but not all versions degrade equally fast or completely.
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Crystallinity and molecular weight are major factors controlling how quickly PHAs decompose
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A wide range of bacteria, fungi, and specific enzymes drive biotic breakdown, alongside abiotic pathways like hydrolysis and heat degradation
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Degradation rates vary significantly across soil and seawater environments, and breakdown byproducts show potential reuse in medical and industrial applications
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