When it comes to plastic, biodegradable doesn't mean compostable and compostable doesn't mean green

French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre reportedly favored canned food over fresh produce because he believed that man-made products were superior to natural goods. He probably never heard of bisphenol A. The chemical, found in the linings of soda cans, food cans and polycarbonate baby bottles, is used to make plastics and has been linked to neurological and hormonal problems. Some companies have been voluntarily eliminating BPA and turning to more environmentally-friendly plastic materials, but seem to overlook a deeper issue: do we really need more over-packaged products?

While the Californian Senate recently declined to ban BPA in food products due to a lack of evidence that it isn't safe for humans, or due to successful industry lobbying, plenty of evidence exists of the harmful side effects of plastic. It doesn't disappear on its own, for one, and takes much longer to deteriorate than wood or banana peels. It's also typically made from petroleum. One of the easiest ways we can ease our dependence on oil is to stop using petroleum based plastic containers. Containers made from glass, canvas or other green materials are readily available. If you prefer plastic, though, look into alternative, plant-based bottles.

Biodegradable plastic comes from materials like corn, vegetable oil, wheat and potatoes. For example, the lactic acid in corn is used to form polylactic acid, or PLA. Producing it requires less energy and generates far less pollution than producing petroleum-based plastic. But it tends to melt on hot, sunny days. Researchers with the United States' Agricultural Research Service have found a way to boost the bioplastics' heat tolerance by blending it with a temperature modifier that is also corn-based and biodegradable. This will make PLA more suitable for coffee-cup lids and containers for pasteurized foods like ketchup.

Bioplastics break down eventually, but they can't be composted at home or recycled with regular plastic. As the Smithsonian Magazine reported back in 2006, they can be a hassle to recycle because of this and the bioplastic won't necessarily decompose any more quickly than petroleum-based plastic. A better option may be composting.

Compostable plastic, according to the American Society for Testing & Materials, is "capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the plastic is not visually distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials and leaves no toxic residue." In other words, a material must biodegrade, support plant growth and not harm life in order to be considered compost. Biodegradable plastic, on the other hand, is a material that will degrade over time as it is eaten by bacteria, fungi and other organisms. There is also no requirement that biodegradable material leave no toxins behind.

You can find compostable products at companies like Evlon and Green Planet. Green Planet states that producing 72 of their 100 percent plant-based bottles saves one gallon of oil. It isn't a perfect system. Using bio- and compostable plastic creates a new demand for corn and other plants that could be used as food or fuel instead. We could just as easily cut down on our plastic use and demand less excessive packaging. So, if you really want to be green, skip the canned goods and use glassware or any of the other materials humans have been using for centuries prior to the advent of plastic.