Deciding between recycling of conventional plastics and developing biodegradable plastics is a complex issue because:

Conventional plastics-

"Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain other substances."

Composition-

"Oil-based polymers is currently used in packaging applications. These are virtually all non-biodegradable, and some are difficult to recycle or reuse due to being complex composites having varying levels of contamination.

Biodegradable plastics-

"They are largely manufactured from renewable natural resources, to produce biodegradable materials with similar functionality to that of oil-based polymers."

Explanation:

Complex Issue-

Diversity of biodegradable materials and their varying properties makes it difficult to make simple, generic assessments such as biodegradable products are all ‘good’ or petrochemical-based products are all ‘bad’.Biodegradable packaging materials are most suitable for single-use disposable applications where the post-consumer waste can be locally composted.

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They must use the scientific method