Despite what we might thing, "biodegradable" waste does not decompose in the natural environment. Biodegradable packaging does help close the environmental "loop" as it can be recycled. However, the environmental impact on decomposing or recycling bioplastics depends on the way that the approach taken to degrade it. There are different approaches to breaking down bioplastics. The methods include alcoholysis, neutral hydrolisis, enzymatic degradation as well as reductive depolymerisation. Each approach has its own environmental challenges, cost-efficiency and varied impact. Hence, "biodegradable" may not be the final solution to our sustainability problems. Biodegradable waste does not naturally decompose, and the varied approaches to recycling or decomposing bioplastics can cause damage to the environment.
Read more about the chemical processes and externalities involved in recycling or degrading bioplastics: