Are we really talking about “biodegradable” plastic? 

Good Garbage Podcast

September, 2026 |

What does biodegradable actually mean? And is bio-based plastic automatically better for the planet? 

In a special two-part episode of Good Garbage, Ved Krishna sits down with Dr. Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and a key scientist behind PLA, to question some of the assumptions we make about plastics. 

From “biodegradable” additives that may only break plastic into smaller pieces, to the difference between bio-based and biodegradable, Dr. Narayan takes us back to the chemistry—and asks us to rethink what we really mean by sustainable packaging. 

The conversation goes further: Can something be designed as compostable if the infrastructure to compost it doesn’t exist? And when does a “paper” product stop being paper? 

Two parts. One conversation. A lot of questions. 

🎧 Listen to Part 1 & Part 2 of Good Garbage on Youtube, Spotify & Apple. 

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