It is an undeniable fact that the environment and its biodiversity are severely disturbed and damaged by the unrestrained and uncontrolled use and disposal of non-biodegradable plastic waste. Growing concern about this problem is stimulating interest in studying the biodegradation of polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, etc., which are very stable in nature and cannot easily biodegrade. The decomposition of these relatively inert materials occurs in the environment depending on the presence of several environmental factors such as solar or ultraviolet radiation, heat, oxygen, water salinity, hydrogen index and microorganisms that can use these polymers as food. Humans can create conditions for artificial abiotic and/or biotic degradation of plastic waste. The article describes the directions of plastic degradation, the factors affecting biodegradation, and the chemical and physical properties of plastics. The authors reviewed several ways to biodegrade plastics in the environment and investigated methods to improve it.

Keywords: environment, plastic, biotic degradation, abiotic degradation, plastic packaging, plastic waste