Degradable plastic bags are plastic bags that can be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment, and eventually degraded into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, water and inorganic salts 

This type of plastic bag is mainly made of degradable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyadipic acid/butylene terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), etc., compared with traditional plastic bags, degradable plastic bags are more likely to be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment, thereby reducing pollution to the environment1 The R&D background of degradable plastic bags is mainly due to the fact that traditional plastic bags are difficult to degrade and cause long-term pollution to the environment. To address this problem, scientists have developed a variety of degradable plastic bags, including photodegradable, biodegradable, and photo/oxidizing/biodegradable plastic bags. These materials are able to be broken down by microorganisms in the natural environment after use, eventually turning them into harmless substances.  In terms of use and identification, degradable plastic bags are usually soft, wear-resistant, and foldable, and the price is usually two to three times that of ordinary plastic bags. Consumers can quickly identify degradable plastic bags by looking at product implementation standards, materials, and prices. Common standards for degradable plastic bags include GB/T 38082-2019 "Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags", GB/T 18006.3-2020 "General Technical Requirements for Disposable Degradable Tableware", etc.