6. Palm Oil-Based Biodegradable Products
Palm oil appears in a variety of “biodegradable” products, but there’s a major catch. Its large-scale cultivation is a leading cause of deforestation and severe habitat loss in tropical regions. Orangutans, tigers, and countless other species are put at risk as rainforests are cleared for palm plantations. Even if the final product biodegrades, it can’t undo the initial environmental destruction. As WWF highlights, the damage done at the source often outweighs any green claims made at the shelf.