Biodegradability of polymers in the environment: complexities and significance of definitions and measurements

There is a world-wide research effort to develop biodegradable polymers as a waste-management option for polymers in the environment. This effort may prove to be fruitless unless we can agree on a definition and test protocols--what do we expect biodegradable polymers to do in the environment and how do we demonstrate that they do what we expect? Establishing a definition and test protocols is not trivial; the task is made complex by the wide range of disciplines involved directly in or interested in the subject, including polymer scientists, biochemists, environmentalists, legislators, and laypeople, all with their own perspectives and expectations. In this paper, I present arguments in favor of biodegradable polymers and indicate what remains to be done to satisfy detractors that they represent a viable option for polymer waste-management.