Environmental potential of food waste-derived bioplastics

The rapid growth of plastics manufacturing has intensified climate, ecosystem, and human health pressures, urging for sustainable solutions. Bioplastics have emerged as a prominent mitigation measure, particularly sourced from food waste (FW). Conceptually, FW-derived bioplastics are considered environmentally benign, but their environmental performance is highly context-dependent. This review summarizes recent advances in life cycle assessments (LCA) of relevant bioplastics. While FW as feedstocks is environmentally beneficial, the obtained bioplastics are frequently constrained by energy- and chemical-intensive conversions and by uncertainties during downstream handling. Also, the environmental benefits are non-uniform across impact categories and may involve trade-offs, particularly when background energy systems, purification intensity, and end-of-life assumptions are not aligned with the intended circularity strategy. Future research should prioritize cradle-to-grave, scenario-based LCA. Integrating scale-up, utility recovery, regional waste systems, and harmonized reporting will credibly guide policy and technology toward genuinely circular, low-impact bioplastic systems.