Can dangerous, non-biodegradable poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizers be replaced by safer organic alternatives?

Our world has in a sense, become a plasticized one, in that wherever we look, we see plastic. It surrounds us. Plastic is widely produced because it is cheap, and has great practical use. In less economically developed countries, the plastic water bucket could be the family’s most valued possession. Packaging, biomedical equipment, toys, and building materials are only a few of the many areas in which plastics are widely used. The great downside to our plasticized world, however, is that plastics are not generally biodegradable, nor are they easily recyclable or reusable. The disposal of non-biodegradable plastics is particularly harmful to wildlife, as they are often mistook for food and ingested.

        Examples of PVC Products:
              common PVC bottles
          Source: http://www.cpcpkg.com/

In our project, we’d like to focus on plasticizers, additives which are added to plastics to “facilitate processing or to enhance physical properties such as flexibility or toughness” (Green Plastics, E. Stevens). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics in particular, use large amounts of plasticizers – up to 40% by weight. PVC plastics are commonly used for construction and packaging materials, medical tubing, teething rings, credit cards and vinyl siding. Some plasticizers are toxic and PVC plastics that contain these are non-biodegradable. These plasticizers pose potential environmental and health risks through leaching, making them harmful in terms of production, use and disposal. Can dangerous, non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride plasticizers be replaced by safer synthetic or organic alternatives?