生物塑料——通常是由生物基聚合物制成的塑料——作為循環(huán)經(jīng)濟的一部分，將為更可持續(xù)的商業(yè)塑料生命周期做出貢獻，其中原始聚合物由可再生或回收的原材料制成。碳中和能源用于生產(chǎn)，產(chǎn)品在使用壽命結束 (EOL) 時可重復使用或回收。在本綜述中，我們評估了生物塑料在向循環(huán)經(jīng)濟轉型過程中的優(yōu)勢和挑戰(zhàn)。
與化石基塑料相比，生物基塑料可以具有更低的碳足跡并具有優(yōu)越的材料性能；此外，它們可以與現(xiàn)有的回收流兼容，如果在受控或可預測的環(huán)境中執(zhí)行，它們可以將生物降解作為 EOL 方案。然而，這些好處可能需要權衡取舍，包括對農(nóng)業(yè)的負面影響、與糧食生產(chǎn)的競爭、EOL 管理不明確和更高的成本。新興的化學和生物方法可以實現(xiàn)“升級循環(huán)” 將越來越多的異質塑料和生物塑料廢物轉化為更高質量的材料。
為了指導加工商和消費者的購買選擇，現(xiàn)有的（生物）塑料識別標準和生命周期評估指南需要修訂和同質化。此外，明確的監(jiān)管和財政激勵措施對于從利基聚合物擴展到具有真正可持續(xù)影響的大規(guī)模生物塑料市場應用仍然至關重要。

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.