Biodegradable plastics are increasingly popular as functional substitutes for some packaging applications of inert plastics. Biodegradation in the event of mismanagement may reduce accumulation of packaging in natural environments, but biodegradable plastics will also impact managed waste streams. In this study, the fate of biodegradable plastics at end-of-life is examined through the infrastructure necessary to recycle organic wastes in the United States with a focus on the Southeast. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework is proposed to examine the impacts of biodegradable plastics in both managed and mismanaged pathways at end-of-life, with a focus on landfilling and aerobic composting. A case study is undertaken for the community of greater Athens, Georgia and compares waste management of PLA clamshells, MaterBi bags, PHA straws and LDPE film. Materials that are highly biodegradable result in climate change impacts in landfilled scenarios. Minimizing contamination of compost piles reduces overall environmental impacts associated with composting.