Plastic waste as a global challenge: are biodegradable plastics the answer to the plastic waste problem? Narancic, Tanja and O'Connor, Kevin E.,, 165, 129-137 (2019), doi = https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000749, publicationName = Microbiology Society, issn = 1350-0872, abstract= The strength, flexibility and light weight of traditional oil-derived plastics make them ideal materials for a large number of applications, including packaging, medical devices, building, transportation, etc. However, the majority of produced plastics are single-use plastics, which, coupled with a throw-away culture, leads to the accumulation of plastic waste and pollution, as well as the loss of a valuable resource. In this review we discuss the advances and possibilities in the biotransformation and biodegradation of oil-based plastics. We review bio-based and biodegradable polymers and highlight the importance of end-of-life management of biodegradables. Finally, we discuss the role of a circular economy in reducing plastic waste pollution., language=, type=