Bioplastics Beyond Materials: A Review on Regulatory, Economic, and Circular Pathways Toward Sustainable Food Packaging

The transition from fossil-based plastics to bioplastics in food packaging requires not only technological advances but also coherent regulatory frameworks and economic support mechanisms. This review examines how policies, production costs, and industrial initiatives shape the large-scale adoption of biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and starch-based materials. The regulatory comparison indicates substantial differences in legal scope and implementation across jurisdictions, while also showing that the existence of binding legislation does not by itself demonstrate bioplastic-specific circular-performance outcomes. Although the high production cost of bioplastics remains a major barrier to widespread implementation, strategies including agricultural residue valorization and green fiscal instruments may contribute to improving competitiveness. Overall, the evidence reviewed suggests that the transition toward sustainable food packaging depends on the combined development of material performance, regulatory coherence, industrial integration, and life-cycle accountability, highlighting the need for greater coordination across these dimensions.