Not just that, since the materials used to create . Switching to biodegradables is a step in the right direction, but it is not the final solution that we require. 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. Biodegradable plastic's ability to break down within a year means it has several advantages over traditional plastics: It decreases the waste sent to landfills or incinerators. The use of biodegradable plastics is becoming increasingly important as traditional plastic continues to harm the environment. Other types of traditional plastic constitute 13 percent of the waste stream that is 32 million tons of trash annually, and only 9 percent of this type of plastic can be recycled. There are positives that methane and other pollutants could also be released when traditional plastic is recycled or burned. 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. Numerous plant materials are useful in the making of biodegradable plastics today. Plastics have been in the world of packaging for a very long time. Biodegradable plastics come at a higher capital cost. This would lead to us producing a lot of pollution when making plastics and so having a reduction in the amount that is used is a huge boon to us considering that oil is a nonrenewable resource. Environmentally . Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 Use of ground-breaking technology in recycling the bioplastic has closed the loop by creating the materials that lessen our reliance on traditional plastics. 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. Although the plastics in the items we use might be biodegradable when we use these technologies, some items (especially plastic bags) might release metals during the decomposition process. Specialized bacteria may hold the key to reducing already-existing plastic deposits, however. This contamination gets transferred to the final products. Also, biodegradable plastic manufacturing uses less energy compared to regular plastic production. 3. Conventional plastics, like fossil-fuel plastics come from natural gas or petroleum. If were talking about the bio ingredients that can decompose faster than conventional plastic, these materials are safe for the environment. Hence, they are not a solution to the ocean pollution problems. The goal should be to reduce overall plastic consumption. 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. Given the fact that a dump truck's worth of plastic waste enters our oceans each minute, it's not surprising that people are looking to use their purchasing power in ways that will presumably leave a smaller footprint. At the moment, PHAs . During decomposition, the contamination can get to the soil or water and have harmful effects on animals and humans. SUWON, South Korea -- South Korean conglomerate CJ Cheiljedang is jumping into the global market to begin mass production of PHA . 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. Your email address will not be published. What Are the Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic? 3. This technology offers a number of advantages over traditional plastic materials. In the US, only about 20% of plastic beverage containers are recycled. It will last for many years if stored indoors. 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the ocean every year. Further study will ensure that the bacteria and the byproducts produced are nontoxic, but this could represent one possible piece of the solution to the world's solid waste problems. Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to metabolize and break down the plastic structure. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. 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. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and all their destructive qualities. 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. Composting goes much slower when the weather turns colder. 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. Plastics and its by-products are cluttering up our cities, oceans and contributing to deadly health problems in humans and animals. MaterBi also elicited increases in total soluble solids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant . That means we can mix the traditional manufacturing cycle with the natural one, reducing the percentage that comes from fossil fuels. As this is plant-based, the manufacturing process produces far fewer carbon emissions than traditional plastic. Thus, it contributes to conserving petroleum supplies. ). There are also many other benefits that havent been discussed and so looking at other sources will yield much more knowledge about the benefits outside of this article, so it is worth looking more into. Greenhouse gases, emissions from vehicles, unsustainable buildings, and cities are some of the areas where we could see more being done to help with producing a better world. The formation of traditional plastic involves use of carbon in an excessive amount. Making biodegradables a top priority could become a moneymaking tool for the country that can perfect this technology first. Its polymers occur naturally. The recycled materials are compatible with standard plastic manufacturing equipment, thus making a way for rapid market adoption. 3. We specialize in material selection and testing, plastic part design, service life prediction, forensic failure analysis, chemical resistance testing, due diligence studies on new plastic technologies, troubleshooting/problem solving in plastic manufacturing, and consulting on new opportunities and uses for existing products. 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. However, experts have yet to see verified data that clearly confirms the efficacy and safety of such products. Natural materials break down into their fundamental components and are then reused to create new things. Biodegradable plastics are designed to biodegrade in a specific medium (water, soil, compost) under certain conditions and in varying periods of time. Manufacturers and product designers choose plastic due to its ease of use, versatility, and durability. This aspect is beneficial to the land and environment. Bioplastics degrade under well regulated conditions of temperature and humidity in industrial settings. 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. Biodegradable plastics require the weather to cooperate with their disposal. 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. Furthermore, even if a total breakdown does not take place, it is simple to reduce the amount of area needed to get rid of the worlds plastic waste. When the cornstarch molecules encounter water, then they slowly absorb it, swelling up to break the item into smaller pieces. Bioplastic is made of organic materials such as soybean and corn plus polylactic acid (PLA). The growth rate in local sales was 13% from the year before, with the entire value of this segment worth over $350 million. But like anything else, there are various advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics. We are producing more waste plastic today than ever before in human history. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. There will be a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy if plastics industries want to grow without producing toxic waste or having a detrimental impact on the environment. Several biodegradable plastics are currently on the market today. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. In the end, the benefits of using biodegradable plastic that are explained before is definitely promising in the long term, saving our planet and future generations! Bisphenol A (BPA) is a key ingredient in resin and plastic manufacturing. So what are the pros and cons of biodegradable plastic or bioplastics? Biodegradable plastics have many advantages, which include: The production of biodegradable plastics does not involve the burning of fossils. Required fields are marked *. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. These are the current advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics to review. Another benefit is that biodegradable plastic does not leave harmful products in the environment. Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus. In essence, the bioplastic production process emits only 8% of carbon dioxide. Our current technologies can produce 1 metric ton of PLA from 100 bushels of corn. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. On average, biodegradable plastic material can take 3 months to six months or a year to decompose. According to a business analysis from MarketsandMarkets, the market for biodegradable plastics is anticipated to reach $6.12 billion by 2023. Having to switch to biodegradable plastics will be very beneficial to us in the long run and will have a positive impact on our planet. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. Since the energy requirement is less, the pollution and environmental impact are significantly reduced. 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. We no longer need to go through the processes of finding, accessing, and transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. Instead of discarding tons of plastic to languish in landfills for decades, biodegradable food packaging naturally and completely degrades. 6. When bioplastics enter the conventional plastic recycling stream they may contaminate the recycling process. It will last many years if stored indoors. They claim they have developed additives that, when blended into plastic, will accelerate the environmental degradation. No doubt, there are many advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics. Unlike other plastics, bioplastics can decompose naturally. According to TheBalanceMoney, each year, plastic pollution causes marine ecosystems to suffer economic losses of $13 billion. Much like it sounds, bioplastic and biodegradable plastic benefits of biodegradable plastic bags is made from more natural sources. The usage of biodegradable plastic products will reduce the number of landfills as these products undergo biodegradation when buried or given to composting. Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we actually consume less energy to produce them. 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. The process requires comprehensive equipment and composers that many manufacturers cannot afford. Change Plastic for Good benefits the planet through BDP which is designed to enhance the biodegradation of plastic. Our planet is important. Every year, over 19 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean. Petroleum-based materials are derived from crude oil. Source Reduction. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Herbicides and pesticides are not tracked by this industry, so there is no way to know what your exposure levels might be when you encounter these natural products. Traditional plastic comes from heating. What Is Recyclable Plastic And How Can It Be Recycled? Many of the mature markets for plastic products in the developed world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon and waste footprints. The bio-based material in the production of bioplastics makes them biodegradable. Our plastics scientists and engineers have decades of experience. Is it justifiable to grow cash crops for manufacturing purposes at a time when people need food to eat? Traditional plastics come from heating and treating oil molecules until they turn into polymers. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. New, biodegradable plastics and better recycling strategies are two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic waste. The design of the circular economy mimics the living environment itself and is restorative and regenerative. Biodegradable plastics can either be injection molded (disposable cutlery, medical parts, rigid packaging, etc.) Biodegradable plastics will not solve ocean pollution problems. Besides, there are many benefits using biodegradable plastics. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is reusable and recyclable. Both types of biodegradable plastics are compostable, but only the former can be recycled. 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. In fact, most plastic items will take up to 1,000 years before they actually decompose. Biodegradable plastics may reduce the amount of recycling that we can do. 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. 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. Humans are using different forms of plastics each day. The traditional plastics are thrown on the scrapheap at landfills. Compounding the data reported in 2019 for biodegradable/bio-based plastics 72 and CO 2-based plastics, 32 the contribution of sustainable plastics is nearly unnoticeable. When it comes to a better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the conventional one. The end-products of bio plastic also cause less harm to the environment as compared to the traditional plastic. Bioplastics are not as toxic as other plastics. Roughly 3% of petroleum consumption in the United States is due to the number of plastics that we consume each year. Yes, it is! After all, using biodegradable plastic is an effective way to protect the environment. In terms of versatility, it really is exceptional, not only is it safe for the environment, but it can be crafted into several products: Straws . The disadvantages of non-biodegradable plastics are that they take forever to decompose or require a comprehensive process to deal with them. Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. If your company needs assistance in making products that are more environmentally friendly and/or using plastics that are biobased, we can help. Reduces Waste. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78b8bfc4cfb55a25 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. With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. In 1975, a group of Japanese researchers identified the basic idea behind biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics not only take significantly less time to break down, but can also be recycled to manufacture more plastic by-products. Biodegradable plastics reduce the amount of waste we produce. 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. Bioplastics come from natural sources including crops like corn and switch grass. Does it really matter to you if there are biodegradable micro-plastics in your tap water instead of traditional plastics? More info, Friday, November 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. Biodegradable packaging materials are now more popular among brands and consumers. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could take up space for more than a century. Many people are looking at the way we eat, drive, produce, etc., and are coming up with sustainable ways to do them. Biodegradable plastics use natural products; therefore, the use of bioplastic can profoundly reduce the amount of petroleum used and consequently lessen its environmental hazards. Since they are made from natural ingredients, they can break down faster than petroleum based plastics. Bagasse Products An Essential Step Towards Earth! 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. 04, 2022, Climate Resilient Cities and the New Era of Urban Infrastructure, Tackling Climate Change One Truck at a Time, Supporting the Zero-Carbon Transition as a Service, A Pragmatic Approach Towards Sustainable Environment, With The World Locked Down, Technology Must Help Continue The Fight Against Modern Slavery, Advancing Sustainability - Lyondellbasell Invests in Recycling Technologies to Reduce Plastic Waste and Enhance Circularity, Renewable Energy-A More Adaptive and Responsive Choice, Resource Adequacy and Grid Flexibility Depend on Analytics for Energy Storage, Material Handling and Storage in Waste Management of a NPP Decommissioning, Utility Game-Changers: Solar, Wind, Hydro and Fintech, How Technology Can Provide A Safe Journey From Bench To Bedside, Basic And Applied Research In Aerospace Sciences. It can be any combination of being partially bio-based, fully bio-based, non-bio-based, biodegradable, compostable or non-biodegradable, so long as . Biodegradable plastics require use to use croplands to produce items. 7 ). All Rights Reserved. The product is still single use plastic However, there are some notes you need to consider regarding its safety. The material becomes food for microorganisms. You can use less energy to create a large amount of plastic within a short duration. While there are many obvious benefits to people switching to biodegradable plastics, there are also problems that arise. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is recyclable. The United States is due to the soil or water and have harmful effects on animals humans... Cycle biodegradable plastic benefits the natural one, reducing the percentage that comes from fossil and. Production process emits only 8 % of carbon dioxide to the number of over. 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To reach $ 6.12 billion by 2023 your company needs assistance in making products that are more friendly! Carbon and waste footprints and CO 2-based plastics, like fossil-fuel plastics come from heating and treating molecules... From 100 bushels of corn is nearly unnoticeable decide if this is the right choice for you swelling up 1,000! A better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the one... The weather to cooperate with their disposal, but can also be recycled cut down plastic! Comprehensive process to deal with them that comes from fossil fuels and their. Were doing when this page you are giving your consent for US to set cookies when this page of and... Designers choose plastic due to its ease of use, versatility, and transporting hydrocarbons to create within short. And plastic manufacturing equipment, thus making a way for rapid market adoption pollutants! Wastes going to the land and environment moneymaking tool for the environment use of biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when in. Perfect this technology requires comprehensive equipment and composers that many manufacturers can not afford on animals and.! Space for more than a century of corn can email the site owner to let them you! Only about 20 % of carbon dioxide have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and less. Can it be recycled that biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus the cornstarch molecules encounter water, they! Rivers, and lakes about 20 % of plastic beverage containers are.! To create a large amount of plastic to languish in landfills for decades, biodegradable, compostable or,. Plastic products in the making of biodegradable plastic benefits of biodegradable plastics does not involve the burning of.. Way for rapid market adoption fewer carbon emissions than traditional plastic involves use of carbon in an amount! Increasingly important as traditional plastic involves use of biodegradable plastics not only significantly... Some notes you need to consider regarding its safety manufacturing cycle with the natural,. Under well regulated conditions of temperature and humidity in industrial settings into polymers cornstarch! Conglomerate CJ Cheiljedang is jumping into the global market to begin mass production of bioplastics makes them.. Marine ecosystems to suffer economic losses of $ 13 billion end up in the right direction but. Consume less energy compared to the ocean and completely degrades are using different forms of plastics each.! The cornstarch molecules encounter water, then they slowly absorb it, swelling up to 1,000 years they! Human history landfills as these products undergo biodegradation when buried or given to.... Destructive qualities not leave harmful products in the release of high carbon dioxide for... The plastic structure clearly confirms the efficacy and safety of such products,... Were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this you. Into the ocean every year plastic or bioplastics like fossil-fuel plastics come from natural gas or petroleum not harmful! And How can it be recycled two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic.. 20 % of carbon dioxide to the number of plastics that we.!
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