Abstract: Due to unreasonable control, plastic pollution has become an important problem of environmental pollution, and people’s demand for new, green biodegradable plastics is increasing. However, studies have shown that biodegradable plastics also have negative effects on the ecological environment and human health. This paper reviewed nearly 10,000 literatures from 2000 to 2023, reviewed the application, development history, types, pollution status, environmental behavior and toxic effects of biodegradable plastics, and proposed future research directions for biodegradable plastics, aiming to provide references for ecological and health risk assessment, rational use and effective regulation of biodegradable plastics.