New British standard for biodegradable plastic introduced

Products will have to prove they break down into harmless wax containing no microplastics

A new British standard for biodegradable plastic is being published which scientists say will cut through a jungle of classifications that leave consumers confused.

Plastic claiming to be biodegradable will have to pass a test to prove it breaks down into a harmless wax which contains no microplastics or nanoplastics in order to make the grade, published by the British Standards Institute.