Because plastics contribute to healthy and sound everyday life, global usage volume of plastic is expected to increase. However, the chemical industry is facing challenges in plastics from the viewpoints of resource depletion and environmental burden. These trends have led to discussions on how plastics should move forward in a sustainable society and a circular economy considering resource conversion, efficient after‐use utilization, and environmental protection. Bioplastics, both bio‐based and biodegradable, have reemerged as potential solutions. To clarify the role of bio‐based, biodegradable, and fossil‐based plastics, it is meaningful to assess lessons learned from experiences in the 1990s and 2000s. Although industries have been delivering solutions through the provision of materials, a coordinated and innovative approach throughout the value chain is necessary to achieve an integrated business model that incorporates efficient resource utilization, applications, and after‐use utilization, including chemical recycling, mechanical recycling, and energy/thermal recovery.

The chemical industry and subsequent value chain of plastics are facing significant challenges from the viewpoints of resource conversion and environmental burden. Now is the time to explore the future direction of plastics, which will require an integrated scheme using resource circulation, carbon neutrality, and a social system to promote after-use treatment under the concept of a circular economy. Polylactic acid (PLA) should help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a biobased material and contribute to waste management after use due to its biodegradability if managed properly. That is, it will be necessary to treat biodegradable products appropriately in closed systems such as composting facilities after use and recovery. To realize the implementation of fully approved composting facilities in society, simply evaluating biodegradability in the laboratory is insufficient. In this study, a pilot-scale test using PLA under actual composting conditions was conducted in accordance with both international standards and domestic evaluation methods. The results not only confirm its biodegradability and disintegration, but also demonstrate that the presence of a biodegradable plastic product has a negligible impact on the composting process. The obtained compost did not adversely affect plant germination or growth, demonstrating its safety and high quality. Such a multifaceted perspective makes this study unique and useful for creating a social framework.