Biodegradable plastics are often touted as the eco-friendly solution to non-recyclable plastics, but the reality is that biodegradables aren’t doing much to clean up our planet. They require the 130-degree heat of an industrial composter to break down, meaning that they won’t decompose in the dark, oxygen-free environment of a commercial landfill or in the cool waters of the ocean, should they wind up there. And if you throw some biodegradable in with recyclables, you might ruin the latter. Buying biodegradables won’t help us turn the tide on plastic waste, but following these 6 simple tips will.