Which type of plastics are derived from natural sources?

The correct answer is that bio-based plastics are derived from natural sources. Bio-based plastics are made from renewable materials such as plant starches, cellulose, and other organic matter. This allows them to have less environmental impact compared to those made from fossil fuels.

These plastics can come in various forms and their production process often uses natural processes, making them a more sustainable option. They play a significant role in reducing dependence on petroleum-based plastics and contribute to a circular economy since many of them can be biodegradable as well.

On the other hand, thermoplastics are a type of plastic that can be melted and remolded, but they can be made from both natural and synthetic sources. Natural plastics, while they refer to organic materials, are not a commonly recognized category in the way that bio-based plastics are. Synthetic polymers are entirely made from chemical processes using non-renewable resources, thus are not derived from natural sources at all.