The raw materials of fully degradable plastic bags are PLA, PBAT, starch or mineral powder materials. There will be special marks on the outer bags, such as the common "PBAT+PLA+MD", while for pseudo-degradable plastic bags, the raw materials are PE and other materials. Common ones include "PE-HD" and so on.

Non-degradable ordinary PE plastic bags

Pseudo-degradable plastic bags

全降解塑料袋

Due to the different raw materials, the feel of the two is also very different. Unlike degradable plastic bags that feel plasticky, fully degradable plastic bags feel silky and soft to the touch.

Pseudo-degradable plastic bags are usually odorless or have a plastic smell, while fully degradable plastic bags, especially starch-based bags, will have a faint grain aroma, and the material itself will also have some corn, cassava and other aromas.

When traditional plastic bags are burned, black smoke and pungent odor will be produced, and finally burned particles will be left behind. There is no thick smoke or pungent smell when burning fully degradable plastic bags. After burning, only organic powder remains, which can be decomposed and absorbed.

Due to limitations in material production capacity and cost, the current price of good-quality bioplastic bags in large supermarkets is basically 0.5-1 yuan each, which is much higher than traditional plastic bags which are only about 0.2 yuan.