12. Plant-Based Plastics (PLA)
PLA plastics, made from corn or sugarcane, are marketed as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. However, they require industrial composting facilities to break down—otherwise, they persist in landfills just like conventional plastics. PLA can also contaminate recycling streams, making traditional recycling less effective. Additionally, the crops used for PLA production compete with food agriculture for land and resources, raising serious ethical and environmental concerns. As Smithsonian Magazine reports, plant-based doesn’t always mean planet-friendly.