Imagine plastic that reaches the sea breaking down through enzymes built into the material. The promise raises difficult questions about time, conditions, and consequences for marine life. How closely does test evidence reflect the ocean itself? And where could enzyme-enabled bioplastics complement prevention and collection without becoming a reason to weaken either? • How does enzyme-based technology built into bioplastics work, and what evidence supports it? • How well do marine biodegradability tests predict real ocean behaviour, and what do degradation products mean for marine life? • Can these materials support prevention and collection rather than replace them?