Greenwashing Revelations through Revision: Re-evaluating Sustainability Claims for Bioplastics

Since its launch in January 2021, Ki Culture's Waste and Materials Ki Book has been downloaded over 5,000 times by practitioners of cultural heritage worldwide, establishing the online sustainability manual as one of the leading guides for mitigating the environmental burden of materials we encounter in conserving cultural heritage. The sustainability manual initially focused on finding alternatives to reduce waste and lessen the environmental impact of the plastic materials we encounter in collections care and transport. This led to exploring emerging alternative materials such as bioplastics as potential replacements for petroleum-derived plastics. Terms such as 'biodegradable', 'compostable', 'green', 'environmentally friendly', and 'sustainable' are commonly used in the marketing strategies for bioplastics and biobased materials. However, the question arises: are these alternatives better options for the environment and cultural heritage than their plastic counterparts? Some of the materials highlighted in the Waste and Materials Ki Book showed evidence of greenwashing. What constitutes a sustainable material, and how do we identify and trust the 'green' alternatives available? By honing our criteria for environmentally responsible materials and examining the terminology associated with bioplastics, we can identify greenwashing. This paper critically evaluates so-called green alternatives in conservation, with a focus on greenwashing associated with polylactic acid (PLA). Emphasizing the need for informed decision-making, the study directly reflects the ongoing revision of the Waste and Materials Ki Book.