Bioplastics are not as toxic as other plastics. Switching to this product is not a magic solution that will resolve our pollution problems. When you dispose of them and they begin to decompose in some way, then that gas is released into the atmosphere. Both types of biodegradable plastics are compostable, but only the former can be recycled. We must also create the infrastructure necessary to process or decompose the biodegradables in a beneficial way. Biodegradables eliminate these substances from being needed. With the environment as it is now, we need to come up with ways that help the environment and ways that can leave a path for our future generations. While traditional plastic releases four tons of emissions, biodegradable plastics emit only 0.8 tons of carbon - a 500% reduction! This is very beneficial to us now more than ever. When the plastic material has been disposed of, it will naturally biodegrades, leaving no trace. It is typically derived from natural byproducts and is manufactured under strict temperature and humidity controls. Plastics make our lives easier in many ways, but they can also contain potentially dangerous products that could harm our health at the same time. This indicates that, in contrast to traditional plastics, they are intended to degrade into biological components. 3. . Traditional plastic comes from heating. That leaves us with less waste to manage over all, reducing the potential for pollution in every biome. However, the exact amount of time it takes depends on various aspects such as moisture levels and temperature. 11) Avocado. Though the initial investment in the biodegradable plastics might be slightly higher, in. As a company, we will donate a portion of our profits to help plastic waste clean up, ushering in a true circular economy. Any solution could and would be a boon to helping fight for a better future for our planet and help make our operations and the lives of people more sustainable and healthier. In addition, bioplastic will break down after 3-6 months, while fossil fuel plastic takes years to fully degrade. Bioplastics degrade under well regulated conditions of temperature and humidity in industrial settings. Milton Kazmeyer has worked in the insurance, financial and manufacturing fields and also served as a federal contractor. Though biodegradable plastics has many benefits over traditional ones, it also has a baggage of disadvantages. The continued destruction and pollution have caused this slow death to speed up to the point where we are seeing some of the long-term effects sooner and that has many people worried. Biodegradable plastic is the material that will decompose naturally when introduced in the environment. Some of these biodegradable items can break down in a measurement timed in weeks instead of months or years. Conventional plastics, like fossil-fuel plastics come from natural gas or petroleum. Lower petroleum consumption is also another benefit when considering biodegradable plastics. It means that a bioplastic can contain 0 percent bio-based materials. Many biodegradable plastics are designed to degrade in industrial composting systems. First, the biomass used to produce biobased plastics must be sustainably . Oxo-biodegradable plastic is recyclable. This contamination gets transferred to the final products. When you toss traditional plastic into the trash, it has a. Biodegradable plastics are often considered a savior product. If we can transition to this item, then the potential for waste reduction, micro-plastic contamination, and even ocean acidity can all see significant benefits. When it comes to a simple step you can take to save the Earth, changing your conventional plastic to bioplastic is the right choice. Biodegradable plastics not only take significantly less time to break down, but can also be recycled to manufacture more plastic by-products. The end-products of bio plastic also cause less harm to the environment as compared to the traditional plastic. That means we are burning fewer fossil fuels, consuming less of them during the manufacturing process, and releasing fewer contaminants when the plastics reach their end-of-life stage. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could take up space for more than a century. However, this entails a number of challenges. PLASTIVISION INDIA 2020. Switching to biodegradable plastics would help to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the industry even further, despite the initial financial costs that would be required to make the transition. Because corn products represent 40% of the U.S.-based bioplastics industry, so it is notable that one acre requires 3,000 gallons of water for each bushel of yield. While reducing landfill space may be a benefit, the tradeoff may be nullified due to this drawback. This is achieved when the bacteria and fungi present in the surrounding environment naturally metabolizes the plastics. With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. Some farmers use herbicides and insecticides, or other contaminant chemicals on these plants. https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/how-sustainable-are-biodegradable-and-plant-based-plastics, https://letsdoitfoundation.org/2020/09/04/what-are-biodegradable-plastics-the-need-for-a-clarified-terminology/, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191030-why-biodegradables-wont-solve-the-plastic-crisis, https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-uses-biodegradable-plastics.php, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodegradable-plastic-guide#what-are-the-benefits-of-biodegradable-plastic Images, http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201209000882, https://bioplasticsnews.com/2015/09/03/biodegradable-plastics-will-grow-10-8-per-year/, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/this-plastic-bag-is-100-biodegradable-and-made-of-plants/, https://news.stanford.edu/2016/07/28/catalyst-making-biodegradable-plastics/, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/waste/can-bioplastics-save-us-from-drowning-in-our-own-waste--66999, A Division of Cloud PublicationsEmail:Info@packcon.orgTel: (+91)- 1202648076, TAPPI Student ChapterGadomski School of Engineering, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN, USA), Michael Turner, Christian Brothers University, USA, The Importance of Packaging in the Clinical Trial World, Turning Packaging into a Sustainable Business Opportunity, Development of Red Meat Packaging and How it Influences Consumer Purchasing, Steps to Designing a Sterile Medical Device Package, Coca-Colas PlantBottle Revolutionizing Packaging, Plastic Packagings Major Flaw; Advancements and Alternatives to Overcoming Plastic Packaging, The Technical and Sustainable Processes of Aerosol, Biodegradable Plastics: The Sustainable Solution. The Growing Problem Of Plastic Waste And How To Recycle Plastic Bags, Are Clear Plastic Food Containers Recyclable? Chemicals that are added to PET plastic for use in beverage bottles must pass stringent Food and Drug Administration criteria and be non-toxic to humans and wildlife. However, bioplastic is still the better alternative to normal plastic. A number of conditions have to be met for biodegradable and compostable plastics to have positive environmental impacts. Not only that, but so much of plastic is disposed of. Equally important, these wads do not simply break down into smaller micro-plastics, but are 100-percent biodegradable, leaving behind no particles or toxic residue. A significant concern with blending chemicals into plastics that promote degradation is the effect the prodegradant containing plastics will have on the usefulness of recycled plastic. Are biodegradable films food grade? Unless we can eliminate chemicals from the entire manufacturing chain, there will always be a risk of pollution to consider with biodegradables. The growth rate in local sales was 13% from the year before, with the entire value of this segment worth over $350 million. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Plastics are a central part of modern life. Conversely, biodegradable plastics decompose naturally and blend with the soil. Biodegradable plastics may produce methane in landfills. Biodegradable plastics are frequently made from petrochemicals, microorganisms, renewable raw materials, or mixtures of all three. Products like food, electronics, cups, pans, drinks, and other materials have all used plastics to help with marketing, packaging, and transporting. non-toxic as they dont contain chemicals, Biodegradable Toilet Paper: The Environmentally Friendly Alternative, Biodegradable Sunscreen: The Reef-Friendly Skincare Product, Eco-Tips: How To Dispose of Light Bulbs Safely, Eco-Tips: How To Dispose of Batteries Properly, Eco-Tips: How To Dispose of Cooking Oil Safely, Make Your Restaurant Nature-Friendly With The Best Eco-Friendly Products. Scientists estimate that there could be more waste plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050, with tap water containing microplastics up to 80% of the time. Biodegradable plastics have ignited a revolt against ubiquitous plastic bags and by using them one can effectively contribute in conserving non-renewable resources of Earth that are depleting at a high-speed. Crops and soybeans can be used to produce the materials needed to make these plastics and can be a huge help in changing the way we use plastics today. That figure represents about 32 million tons of waste each year, with only 9% of that amount directed into recycling programs. Reduction in Carbon Emission. Also, the environment matters. Not only can biodegradable plastic be recycled, but it can be recycled more times than normal plastics. That means we are simply trading one issue for another until there is a better solution to find. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally-occurring bacteria. 9. GreenCore is a biodegradable shotshell wad that decomposes on exposure to bacteria naturally present in the environment. With the increased usage of plastics, people will need more spaces for landfills. How does . One of the greatest issues with bioplastic is that it helps people feel better about themselves as they continue to abuse disposable materials. Here are some of them: Biodegradable plastics can pose contamination risks to both environment and humans. Pollution from the different industries and the ignorance that we as humans have done over the last century or two has caused so much damage that many experts in the field think that we are too far out to stop the planet from dying. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. A study commissioned by the Biodegradable Products Institute in the 2000s found that the breakdown of these natural materials found in biodegradable plastic are exceptionally dependent on the weather conditions in the area. The material becomes food for microorganisms. Moreover, biodegradable plastic production produces lower carbon emission. It will last for many years if stored indoors. Numerous plant materials are useful in the making of biodegradable plastics today. MaterBi also elicited increases in total soluble solids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant . Why Is There A Growing Need For Ethical Buying Of Eco-products? 3. The disadvantages of non-biodegradable plastics are that they take forever to decompose or require a comprehensive process to deal with them. In addition, it generates 68 percent fewer greenhouse gases during its manufacture, representing a significant environmental benefit. There is also the potential to create more pollution. However, they do not decompose in the marine environment and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Biodegradable plastic is a plant-based plastic with no hazardous effects on the environment. There are positives that methane and other pollutants could also be released when traditional plastic is recycled or burned. For instance, you have a plastic shopping bag, electronics, car parts, and furniture. 3. Also, it makes it cheap to deal with plastic wastes. Biodegradable plastics require less energy during the manufacturing cycle. The landfills occupy land you utilize for other uses, such as residential houses, agriculture, or industries. Their recycling is safe and easy as they do not release toxic chemicals into the environment. Other types can take a few years to undergo complete decomposition. The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Although recycling would be a good way to reduce the plastics in the landfills, currently "only 5% out of 1 trillion plastic bags, annually produced in the US alone, are being recycled" (Sivan, 2011). The term of biodegradable plastic refers to the plastic that is made from natural plant-based raw materials like corn-starch, sugarcane bagasse, orange peels, starch etc. Oil is a significant material in making plastics. It releases fewer harmful substances when breaking down. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. Fruit yields were higher with MB film than LDPE (+9.5%), irrespective of soil texture. What Is Recyclable Plastic And How Can It Be Recycled? Other benefits that come with biodegradable plastics can include being easy to recycle, which can and will reduce the amount of space it may take up in landfills. Suppose you are thinking to change your petroleum based plastics to bioplastics, the following points will give you better understanding: Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that is intended to disintegrate when it comes into contact with microbes. Biodegradable and compostable plastics offer a suitable alternative to fossil oil-based plastics Benefits and concerns of using plastic in agriculture The discovery of plastic and its range of beneficial applications has changed the way we live our lives. PHA may provide a solution for the plastic pollution problem. Manufacturers and product designers choose plastic due to its ease of use, versatility, and durability. On the other hand, the term bioplastics refers to polymers made from renewable biomass sources, such as plant lipids and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, and recovered food waste, among others. Plastics can end up in the food and water we drink in the form of microplastics. It is possible to boost the biodegradability of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a process known as bioaugmentation. Much like it sounds, bioplastic and biodegradable plastic benefits of biodegradable plastic bags is made from more natural sources. Having something we can use to help fight the pollution of plastic can be very helpful in the future and help define the standard for future sustainable projects. Does it really matter to you if there are biodegradable micro-plastics in your tap water instead of traditional plastics? Products that are biodegradable degrade substantially more quickly than recyclable products. The formation of traditional plastic involves use of carbon in an excessive amount. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. In 1975, a group of Japanese researchers identified the basic idea behind biodegradable plastics. Even organic crops that are sent to the plastics industry can be sprayed with natural compounds that may offer health risks during times of high exposure. Performance & security by Cloudflare. During decomposition, the contamination can get to the soil or water and have harmful effects on animals and humans. Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. This advantage can only occur if the items are disposed of properly, meaning that these items must be treated in a manner that is similar to compost. Many plastics used today take an extremely long time to degrade. In fact, they still mix between the renewable and non-renewable resources. Biodegradable packaging materials are now more popular among brands and consumers. Most companies these days are jumping on the go green bandwagon and looking for ways to promote their plastic businesses by using certain words and phrases in their corporate mission statements and sales literature. That means shareholders, executives, and employees all stand to gain from the potential for higher profits. Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 The other option makes the other plastic items that we consume. Though the initial investment in the biodegradable plastics might be slightly higher, in the long run biodegradable plastics involve a lesser amount of energy in its manufacturing process and do not need fossil fuels to be recycled. Both techniques are discussed in the recent IDTechEx. On the other hand, biodegradable plastics are petroleum-based plastics with an additive that harnesses their decomposition. 2. The Coca-Cola Company has already created a bio-plastic bottle that they can use with their beverages. Biodegradable plastics would direct petroleum consumption to other needs. 7. All in all, they are better than traditional plastics. So, the non-renewable material still can harm the environment. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is reusable and recyclable. When we reduce the amount of traditional plastics that we use by mixing biodegradable molecules in with the oil-based ones, then it does create less of a dependence on petroleum. If you were to throw out a bucket-full of traditional plastics into a landfill, then you would have methane and other forms of pollutants release as the product begins to decompose. Created to address the plastic waste problem, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of time. The Benefits of Biodegradable Plastics. 6. While there are many obvious benefits to people switching to biodegradable plastics, there are also problems that arise. You must pay attention to the quality and labeling of the bioplastic items upon purchase to ensure that you are using items that can decompose rapidly. Biodegradables come from products like switchgrass or corn, which means we could redirect the petroleum being used by the industry to our transportation or heating needs instead. This paper seeks to explain the prospects of biodegradable plastics regarding social, economic, and environmental sustainability and recognizes the latest advances in enzyme-based biodegradation of plastics in order to reduce plastics' negative effects and to make the environment safe. Waste Reduction. In contrast to conventional plastic, which can take hundreds of years to completely degrade, biodegradable plastics need only three to six months to do so, according to BBC Science Focus. It takes less energy to manufacture. Other forms of degradable plastic are not. If we can replace the normal plastic with bioplastic, then we can minimize the negative impact of plastic pollution. However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the link below: https://www.environmentalbusinessreview.com/news/environmental-benefits-of-biodegradable-plastics-nwid-86.html, We use cookies on this website to enhance your user experience. Biodegradable plastics may reduce the amount of recycling that we can do. Such terms commonly thrown around include: sustainability, biorenewable feedstocks, environmentally friendly, carbon footprint, and responsible care. Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to "metabolize" and break down the plastic structure. Energy . Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. While not every form of landfill-friendly biodegradable plastic will completely break down, any reduction in the space required to dispose of this material will ease pressures on the waste stream. Types of Biodegradable Packaging Materials. Because the plants that produce bioplastics absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as they grew, there is no net increase in carbon dioxide as they decompose. The formation of traditional plastic involves use of carbon in an excessive amount. 1. Oxo-biodegradable plastic has a long shelf-life. This includes financial losses to the fishing and tourism sectors as well as expenses for beach cleanup. We can definitely benefit from the presence of biodegradable plastics because they can decompose effectively in our environment without creating a pollutive effect. Keep reading to learn some of the benefits and shortcomings of bioplastics. These materials take centuries to decompose, becoming a threat to the environment, humans, and animals. This is the only place where we can call our home and yet, we are slowly killing it. Your IP: The machines that are necessary to produce these plastics and to maintain them is another major cost to take into consideration. Unlike other plastics, bioplastics can decompose naturally. Specialized bacteria may hold the key to reducing already-existing plastic deposits, however. Industrially compostable plastics are designed to biodegrade in the conditions of an industrial composting plant or an industrial anaerobic digestion plant with a subsequent composting step. There are some who are trying new ways to do things in hopes of slowing down the effects. These are applications wherein reuse and recycling of plastics is often limited because the plastics are contaminated with food residues or soil, or wherein plastics cannot be recovered. Various Advantages of Using Biodegradable Plastics 1. That is in addition to the 68% reduction in greenhouse gases that occur during the manufacturing process. Biodegradable plastic is not a solution for overconsumption. If we were to recycle our plastics each year, then our net carbon savings alone would be up to 30%, which some researchers suggesting the savings could be as high as 80%. Is it justifiable to grow cash crops for manufacturing purposes at a time when people need food to eat? This makes them conserve non-renewable sources of energy such as petroleum. Methane is a central greenhouse gas with higher heat absorption than carbon dioxide. However, scientists came up with a solution through the invention of biodegradable plastics. Below are four reasons why biodegradable plastics benefit the environment and help save natural resources. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Polystar's unique biodegradable material is made from PLA bioplastic. Thankfully, biodegradable plastic is an effective solution to mitigate the world-wide epidemic of non-biodegradable plastic bags and provide feasible alternatives to improve the environment and save marine species. It is true that the production of biodegradable plastics requires. As you can see, biodegradable plastic is extremely significant and proves to be of great importance when it comes to reducing waste and helping the environment. So, biodegradable plastics are a good idea for conserving the environment and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. While around 9 percent of that plastic goes into recycling programs, the remainder enters landfills, where it takes up space for hundreds of years or more. While it has many advantages, biodegradable plastic can be a bad idea. The major worldwide share for biodegradable plastics is made up by cellulose acetate (CA) with 46%, followed by starch-containing polymer compounds with 22%, PLA with 16% and PBAT with 14%.