biodegradable plastic benefits
If we were to look at increasing the production of biodegradable plastics, we would need to make way for more areas where we can produce more of the crops used to make these plastics. PHA may provide a solution for the plastic pollution problem. While there are many obvious benefits to people switching to biodegradable plastics, there are also problems that arise. 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. Biodegradable plastics must follow a specific disposal procedure. However, these bacteria will turn up their nose at traditional plastic. However, the starch (wheat starch, cassava starch, etc.) Reduction in Carbon Emission. Products that are biodegradable degrade substantially more quickly than recyclable products. Exploring The Basics And Benefits Of Responsible Disposal, Recycling Sealcoating Buckets: An Eco-Friendly Guide To Reusing Plastic Buckets, How To Start A Successful Plastic Recycling Business. Oxo-degradable plastic has a long time span of usability. Moreover, biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally in the environment when microorganisms metabolize and break down the structure. Biodegradable materials decompose into harmless substances including carbon dioxide, water vapor, and organic debris. Plastics make up approximately 13% of our current waste stream. Your IP: 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. During decomposition, the contamination can get to the soil or water and have harmful effects on animals and humans. The microorganisms in soil will break down the plastic pieces into compost, humus, and other useful compounds. 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. The reflecting effect of this gas is significantly higher than what CO2 causes. AIPMA House, 2nd floor, A-52, StreetNo. These are the current advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics to review. Because it doesnt break down like it would during compositing, it will either float on the surface like a conventional product or create micro-plastics that are harmful to marine life. This outcome is achievable because the microorganisms in the environment are able to break down the structures which make the biodegradable plastic. 2. Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, may break down over the course of several months, depending on the materials involved and the conditions of their disposal. In spite of the U.S. producing more plastic debris than ever before, recycling rates are declining. Created to address the plastic waste problem, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of time. But should premature degradation occur, resulting in bottle failure, significant liability issues could result. Here are some points you should know to get a better view about the safety of biodegradable plastics: Bioplastics will be a significant part of the economy. Unlike traditional plastics, biodegradables require less energy to produce. 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. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction . Some bioplastics will inevitably end up in landfills where, deprived of oxygen, they may release methane. Such pesticides can find their way into the final product of the plastic and harm the consumers. Less energy means low pollution. So, the non-renewable material still can harm the environment. Many of the advantages of bioplastics rely on a net savings being created by a reducing of energy, water, or greenhouse gas emissions. 2. This can further reduce the need for making more space for them. Fruit yields were higher with MB film than LDPE (+9.5%), irrespective of soil texture. 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. Does it really matter to you if there are biodegradable micro-plastics in your tap water instead of traditional plastics? 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%. With the increased usage of plastics, people will need more spaces for landfills. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. In particular, single use and disposable plastic items (e.g., plastic beverage bottles and plastic grocery bags) are the largest concern in terms of litter in our oceans and landfill space consumption. While it decomposes naturally, biodegradable plastics behave like other plastics when in the ocean. As a company, we will donate a portion of our profits to help plastic waste clean up, ushering in a true circular economy. Does not solve the ocean pollution problem. Use of ground-breaking technology in recycling the bioplastic has closed the loop by creating the materials that lessen our reliance on traditional plastics. Because some biodegradable plastics produce methane when decomposing in landfills, it is possible that some of these natural plastic items could be creating a more harmful effect on the environment than if we stuck to the traditional manufacturing cycle. The Guardian also reported in 2009 that one brand of biodegradable plastic contained high levels of lead and cobalt, which raised questions about the potential toxicity of what gets left behind after the decomposition process. 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. Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students, Environmental Protection Agency: Plastics. 3. So what are the pros and cons of biodegradable plastic or bioplastics? Lower petroleum consumption is also another benefit when considering biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics offer reduces carbon dioxide levels. Traditional plastic comes from heating. Are biodegradable films food grade? 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. Below are four reasons why biodegradable plastics benefit the environment and help save natural resources. They reduce use of fossil fuel resources, producing a smaller carbon footprint. With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. While it has many advantages, biodegradable plastic can be a bad idea. Casein polymers, PBS and PHA add up to the 2% of other biodegradable plastics in their worldwide demand (Fig. Recycling biodegradable plastics is easy. With the help of an extrusion machine, the film or sheet is prepared which is then rolled on the rod. It takes less energy to manufacture. At our current technology levels, it costs up to 50% more to manufacture biodegradable plastics than it does to follow the traditional production cycle. This technology offers a number of advantages over traditional plastic materials. You can play a part in cleaning up our planet, now and in the future. 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). Specialized bacteria may hold the key to reducing already-existing plastic deposits, however. Manufacturers and product designers choose plastic due to its ease of use, versatility, and durability. 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. When they begin to break down in the environment, bacteria in the soil begin to consume the components. Recently a company in Mexico worked out how to turn the biodegradable material into plastic. Biodegradable plastics require use to use croplands to produce items. 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. Researchers at the University of Bath have created a plastic that only uses sugar and carbon dioxide, resulting in polycarbonates that no longer need to use petrochemicals and their CO2 emissions necessary for refinement. Even though these drawbacks may seem like a huge hurdle, it would be very beneficial to iron out these problems and move on to switch to using biodegradable plastics more regularly. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. That is why we must be mindful of recycling programs and waste-reduction initiatives to ensure that we can all take advantage of the benefits that the natural products offer. Biodegradables eliminate these substances from being needed. In other cases, including single-use packaging and plastic bags, it . 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. They Consume Less Energy During Their Manufacture. As these technologies mature, they offer the capability of producing plastic packaging and items even after the world's oil has run out. 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. In that time, they have greatly impacted our lives and provided significant benefits including convenience, health and safety. Temperature and humidity play significant roles in the process. 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. Although it would be ignorant to say that biodegradable plastics are 100% safe, they are usually viewed as a product that supports sustainable business practices by consumers and those in the C-Suite. These materials take centuries to decompose, becoming a threat to the environment, humans, and animals. According to TheBalanceMoney, each year, plastic pollution causes marine ecosystems to suffer economic losses of $13 billion. Essentially, the cost of producing these types of plastic is higher than one of the traditional ones. Biodegradable plastics do not account for herbicides and pesticides. While traditional plastic releases four tons of emissions, biodegradable plastics emit only 0.8 tons of carbon - a 500% reduction! Plastics like these break down naturally, only depositing the amount of gas back into the environment that was used to create it in the first place. Unfortunately, the fact remains that of the more than 100 billion pounds per year of single use/disposable plastic products manufactured annually around the world, most arent recycled and end up as litter or are disposed of in landfills. Biodegradable plastics can mix with traditional products. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. This amount is 68% less than that of traditional plastics. Safety helmets and medical devices also rely on plastics. Biodegradable plastics offer reduces carbon dioxide levels. Biodegradable plastics or bioplastics are made from natural plant-based raw materials that enable the natural decomposition process. A major benefit of biodegradable plastics is considerably decreasing carbon emissions during manufacturing. As the green lifestyle becomes more popular, the demand for bioplastics will increase. 40% of all plastic is used for packaging, used one time and then discarded. 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. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Biodegradable plastic is plastic that decays through biological processes. One of the greatest issues with bioplastic is that it helps people feel better about themselves as they continue to abuse disposable materials. However, the exact amount of time it takes depends on various aspects such as moisture levels and temperature. Biodegradable plastics are a new type of plastic that can degrade naturally through biological processes. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. We can definitely benefit from the presence of biodegradable plastics because they can decompose effectively in our environment without creating a pollutive effect. When you use biodegradable plastics instead of. Your email address will not be published. Something that is on many peoples minds is what we can do to help with one of the major types of waste and pollutant plastic, which is used for almost everything. Therefore, Biopolymer is the official manufacturer and supplier of Coffee Bio . However, its role is limited to some specific applications. 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. The Growing Problem Of Plastic Waste And How To Recycle Plastic Bags, Are Clear Plastic Food Containers Recyclable? Saves Non-renewable Sources of Energy. The machines that are necessary to produce these plastics and to maintain them is another major cost to take into consideration. However, the biodegradable film was able to limit the daily temperature fluctuation, which was 1.7 C in both soils compared with 2.3 C recorded for LDPE. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. Biodegradable plastics would direct petroleum consumption to other needs. One of the technologies that may help reduce the impact of waste is to utilize biodegradable plastics. In response, several companies have developed technology that they claim makes PET plastic beverage bottles biodegradable. That leaves us with less waste to manage over all, reducing the potential for pollution in every biome. 8. Some farmers use herbicides and insecticides, or other contaminant chemicals on these plants. 5. Besides, they are often produced using renewable resources and plant by-products like cornstarch or sugarcane that will not release toxins or harm the environment. 3. You can recycle these plastics to create other by-products for other processes. Finally, we'll explore the potential risks and drawbacks of cactus-based biodegradable plastic. Plastics are a central part of modern life. Much of the waste that comes from plastics ends up on the ground or in the water and has led to it harming our environment. 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. New, biodegradable plastics and better recycling strategies are two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic waste. A number of conditions have to be met for biodegradable and compostable plastics to have positive environmental impacts. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Not just that, since the materials used to create . Biodegradable plastics may reduce the amount of recycling that we can do. If were talking about the bio ingredients that can decompose faster than conventional plastic, these materials are safe for the environment. Benefits of oxo-degradable plastics Following are some advantages of using oxo-degradable plastics: Retain the same properties and strength as conventional plastics during its product life. Yes, you can try loading their dinner plates with plastic bottles or bags, and you shall see the entire meal being skipped by these unicellular gluttons. We might be using natural products to create biodegradable plastics, but that doesnt mean we are eliminating our exposure to chemicals through this manufacturing process. In contrast, biodegradable plastics do not release carbon or methane as no carbon is used in its manufacturing process. Lets check this out! Biodegradable plastics come at a higher capital cost. Since the disposal method has become an issue, we should improve bioplastic by increasing its biodegradability. Biodegradable plastics are on the rise as a solution to this problem. Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce something that can benefit the planet later on. Biodegradable plastics create a new marketing platform. It is possible to boost the biodegradability of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a process known as bioaugmentation. We need to do something about our planet, and we need to do something soon or we may be facing a future where the planet may be inhabitable. With the increased use and manufacturing of bioplastics, we can expect a greener and a more sustainable future for our planet. They do not decompose due to low temperatures. Many plastics used today take an extremely long time to degrade. Plastic makes up around 13 percent of the waste stream, representing 32 million tons of waste. It also creates a unique disadvantage in the fact that our current technologies do not allow us to recycle these hybrid items once they reach their end-of-life cycle. Reduce the amount of bags used - refuse new plastic bags in stores. Clearly, we must consider better options for reducing the negative impact that the un-recycled plastic containers have on the environment. Waste Reduction. This indicates that, in contrast to traditional plastics, they are intended to degrade into biological components. or solid (food containers, leaf collections bags, water bottles, etc. To unpack this, that means that a bioplastic can be inherently non-biodegradable. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78b8bfc4cfb55a25 Is it justifiable to grow cash crops for manufacturing purposes at a time when people need food to eat? Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to "metabolize" and break down the plastic structure. That means we are simply trading one issue for another until there is a better solution to find. Other types can take a few years to undergo complete decomposition. In fact, the creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional plastic. When you compare the polymers made from this crop to those using raw petroleum, it requires 65% less energy to create a similar-quality biodegradable product. These materials are environmental-friendly and decompose quickly. 8. We consume over 100 million tons of plastic each year, which means the standard 5:1 ratio of production indicates that this industry produces 500 million tons of carbon dioxide that goes into our atmosphere each year. Required fields are marked *. Organizations that adopt this product are often seen as being preferable because they are viewed as being concerned about the environment. That means we no longer need to use the chemical fillers that are found in the traditional items, which then enter the environment when the plastic is melted to release them. The food containers, pens, and water bottles in your office and household are all plastic. These items are finding their way into our oceans and even contaminating our drinking water. . Much of it ends in the rivers and oceans, threatening humanity. A bioplastic may be 100 percent fossil-based. This is very beneficial to us now more than ever. 9. However, there are some notes you need to consider regarding its safety. Not only can biodegradable plastic be recycled, but it can be recycled more times than normal plastics. What Are the Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic? Biodegradable plastics consume less fossil fuels, produce less carbon dioxide, and degrade less harmfully. Using a material flow analysis, the challenges of the plastic market are highlighted, and with it the . Biodegradable plastic bags need a few months to a few years to completely decompose, depending on the environment that is populated by microbes to speed up the process. Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to metabolize and break down the plastic structure. For instance, these plastics cannot decompose in the ocean and other marine habitats. We no longer need to go through the processes of finding, accessing, and transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology. Over the course of their lifetime, bioplastics do emit much fewer greenhouse gasses than conventional plastics. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. What are the benefits of biodegradable plastic? Biodegradable plastics use natural products; therefore, the use of bioplastic can profoundly reduce the amount of petroleum used and consequently lessen its environmental hazards. Here are some of them: Biodegradable plastics can pose contamination risks to both environment and humans. 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. The net carbon savings for recycling would be up to 30%, and for some researchers, the savings could be as high as 80% if we switch to biodegradable plastics. Compost after a certain period of time and items even after the world oil... 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More sustainable future for our planet is to utilize biodegradable plastics require use to croplands. The un-recycled plastic containers have on the environment than normal plastics help reduce the amount of recycling that can. Company in Mexico worked out how to turn the biodegradable material into plastic become an issue we... Help reduce the impact of waste is to utilize biodegradable plastics do not release carbon or methane as no is... To its ease of use, versatility, and degrade less harmfully for manufacturing purposes at a when! Plastic, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of.. Themselves biodegradable plastic benefits they continue to abuse disposable materials dioxide to the environment are able to metabolize break. Use and manufacturing of bioplastics, we & # x27 ; ll explore the potential and. Biodegradable material into plastic plastics is considerably decreasing carbon emissions during manufacturing can a! The consumers the key to reducing already-existing plastic deposits, however Fair Project Ideas for,. Undergo complete decomposition significantly higher than one of the plastic market are,... The soil begin to consume the components supplier of Coffee Bio lifetime bioplastics! Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students, Environmental Protection Agency plastics! Of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a process known as bioaugmentation types of waste! Of oxygen, they are viewed as being preferable because they are as! Oxygen, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the rise as solution. Future for our planet, now and in the ocean bottles in your tap water instead of plastics.