Plastics are a central part of modern life. Here, a critical overview of the state of the art of biodegradable plastics is given. We have advised companies that manufacture single-use products on ways to reduce negative environmental impacts and weve consulted for companies that manufacture plastic products for long-term use on ways to make their products using bio-based plastics., Plastic Expert Group & Failure Labs Copyright 2023 Toll Free USA: (877) 668-4345 International: +1 (989) 281-4465, www.plasticpipefailure.com www.plasticfailure.com, Plastic Failure Services: Molding Defects Pipe Failure Analysis Materials Testing Consultants Plastic Failure PEX Failure Polymer Consulting. Benefits of oxo-biodegradable plastic There is no difference in print quality, texture, or strength between regular and oxo-biodegradable plastic. Traditional plastics. 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. In response, several companies have developed technology that they claim makes PET plastic beverage bottles biodegradable. This process turns them into polymers that become useful for the industry. 7. The products produced are non-toxic as they dont contain chemicals or toxins if compared to traditional plastic. Weight-saving advantages of plastics over metal have greatly improved fuel efficiency of automobiles, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil and reduction of carbon dioxide. 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. 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. With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. Another factor to consider is costs. 2. That would create fewer pressures on the overall waste stream. 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. 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. 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. Additionally, they contaminate other plastic recycling processes and end up producing microplastics. Products that are biodegradable degrade substantially more quickly than recyclable products. Biodegradable plastics may produce methane in landfills. When you use biodegradable plastics instead of. They do not decompose due to low temperatures. 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. Bioplastics are considered to be more eco-friendly than traditional plastics. 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the ocean every year. Generally, biodegradable plastic means plastics that can be broken down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass by living things, typically microbes. That means we are simply trading one issue for another until there is a better solution to find. The microorganisms in soil will break down the plastic pieces into compost, humus, and other useful compounds. It takes less energy to manufacture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We must also create the infrastructure necessary to process or decompose the biodegradables in a beneficial way. 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. These are harmful to the overall health of a person and can lead to long-term health problems. Plastics have been in the world of packaging for a very long time. That means many of the advantages that are possible with this product disappear in equatorial and far-northern climates. Therefore, there is a good impact of using biodegradable plastic in future. Poland Spring is reducing the number of plastic components that they use for their packaging needs. They also help to further break down the structure of a biodegradable plastic. However, the benefits that plastics bring to our lives are accompanied by concerns about the impact that waste plastics have on the environment. This technology offers a number of advantages over traditional plastic materials. Because of this energy savings, the long-term cost of using biodegradables could be substantially less than traditional plastics especially if the cleanup costs from plastic pollution are added to that calculation. Hence, plastic, defined as biodegradable, is made of molecule that can break down naturally by the action of micro-organisms. Biodegradable products are made from renewable resources like corn, sugar cane and potato starch instead of oil: 200,000 barrels of oil a day are presently used in the United States alone in the manufacture of plastic packaging, and significant portions of this use could be eliminated by employing biodegradable plastic products. What Are the Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic? Having biodegradable plastics as an alternative will help with the inability to recycle normal plastics. Producing and recycling biodegradable can be expensive. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction in carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. After plastics are formed, the traditional products will hold their carbon. 4. Not only that, but so much of plastic is disposed of. While this is an excellent idea as it helps businesses save on costs, plastics are turning into an environmental disaster. When the plastic material has been disposed of, it will naturally biodegrades, leaving no trace. 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. The manufacturing process of biodegradable plastics requires fewer amounts of energy. Bagasse Products An Essential Step Towards Earth! Biodegradable plastics are a new type of plastic that can degrade naturally through biological processes. Several different types of bacteria have evolved the ability to consume hydrocarbons, giving them the capacity to "eat" plastic and hasten its decomposition. It will last for many years if stored indoors. 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. Biodegradable plastics also help conserve petroleum supplies. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction . Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. They found a bacteria called Flavobacterium in pools containing waste water from a nylon mill that degraded nylon. What is the aim of biodegradable plastic? Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Various Advantages of Using Biodegradable Plastics 1. Biodegradable plastics are frequently made from petrochemicals, microorganisms, renewable raw materials, or mixtures of all three. Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. In terms of the impact to the environment, bioplastic has a better performance. Plastics and its by-products are cluttering up our cities, oceans and contributing to deadly health problems in humans and animals. The market for biodegradable plastic packaging was assessed at $4.65 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.04% by 2025, reaching a market value of up to $12.06 million. Clearly, we must consider better options for reducing the negative impact that the un-recycled plastic containers have on the environment. 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. But like anything else, there are various advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics. In essence, the bioplastic production process emits only 8% of carbon dioxide. The wide use of plastic has come with the consequence of the poor disposal of it. The difference between bioplastic and biodegradable plastics is the material used to make them. Currently, two main forms of biodegradable plastics exist: Unfortunately, the plastic used to manufacture beverage containers (PET) is not naturally biodegradable, and a naturally biodegradable resin is not currently commercially available that offers the mechanical properties necessary for beverage bottles (e.g., high impact strength, chemical resistance, and gas barrier). Biodegradable plastics degrade in a much reasonable time frame and can be more renewable than plastics today. The advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics give us hope for the future because there is an opportunity to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Both are considered to be endocrine disruptors that are toxic to the reproduction cycle of humans. The Many Benefits of Hemp Plastic. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. However, its role is limited to some specific applications. Waste Reduction. 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. If were talking about the bio ingredients that can decompose faster than conventional plastic, these materials are safe for the environment. 7. You can use less energy to create a large amount of plastic within a short duration. At the moment, PHAs . Our plastic scientists are available to advise and assist plastic product manufacturers evaluate the lifecycle of their products and to advise on ways to make products truly more environmentally-friendly. Biodegradable packaging materials are now more popular among brands and consumers. BDP is blended with plastic materials during standard manufacturing to create products that provide the following benefits: However, biodegradable plastics are still only a tiny portion of the global plastics market and require further efforts in research and commercialization. More info, Friday, November The Benefits of Biodegradable Plastics. Biodegradable plastics are on the rise as a solution to this problem. 3. . Other forms of degradable plastic are not. What Is Recyclable Plastic And How Can It Be Recycled? That leaves us with less waste to manage over all, reducing the potential for pollution in every biome. The main costs when looking to produce these plastics is the equipment used to make them. Biodegradable plastics come at a higher capital cost. Also, microplastics are leading water contaminants. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. For instance, you have a plastic shopping bag, electronics, car parts, and furniture. Traditional plastics come from heating and treating oil molecules until they turn into polymers. Your IP: Switching to biodegradables is a step in the right direction, but it is not the final solution that we require. 4. Our current technologies can produce 1 metric ton of PLA from 100 bushels of corn. As you may know, the raw materials for producing these plastics come from plants such as corn and soybeans. 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. However, they do not decompose in the marine environment and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In the past, this substance was used in plastic tableware, water bottles, and sports equipment. The bio-based material in the production of bioplastics makes them biodegradable. 2. Again, these are just some of the drawbacks of using these plastics. One of the technologies that may help reduce the impact of waste is to utilize biodegradable plastics. Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus. This is the only place where we can call our home and yet, we are slowly killing it. With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. The packaging industry alone produces 161 million tons of plastic . Because there is no general oversight on the manufacturing cycle from crop growth to final distribution, there isnt reliable data available to suggest that biodegradables are useful beyond the ability to offer more profits to some companies or create compost fodder. 10. With the increased usage of plastics, people will need more spaces for landfills. Reduction in Carbon Emission. We must also use water resources to crow the crops needed for the raw materials as well. We can make biodegradable plastics from bio-plastics, which are products that are made from renewable raw materials instead of virgin items that we must harvest at a potential cost to the overall environment. 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. One of the greatest issues with bioplastic is that it helps people feel better about themselves as they continue to abuse disposable materials. 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. 3. E. Recycling challenges. On the other hand, biodegradable plastics are petroleum-based plastics with an additive that harnesses their decomposition. This means that manufacturers cannot produce biodegradable plastics without incentives from the government or other conservation authorities. To combat this concern, some companies use mixed additive systems containing both stabilizers and prodegradants wherein the prodegradant can be triggered to overwhelm the stabilizers. 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. 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. Making this switch could lead to significant changes in how people and other businesses see each other. This aspect is beneficial to the land and environment. 3. Because biodegradable plastics do not always require CO2 as part of the manufacturing process, then this greenhouse gas release may never occur during the decomposition process. This is achieved when the bacteria and fungi present in the surrounding environment naturally metabolizes the plastics. Plastic makes up around 13 percent of the waste stream, representing 32 million tons of waste. 9. These items are finding their way into our oceans and even contaminating our drinking water. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could take up space for more than a century. For example, the corn-based plastic polymer PLA uses 65 percent less energy than creating a similar polymer from raw petroleum. 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. Reuse old plastic bags or invest in some fabric shopping bags. 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. 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. Both techniques are discussed in the recent IDTechEx. We must address the causes of why we pollute in the first place to ensure our biomes remain healthy for future generations. Being oil-based these materials are non-biodegradable, meaning they have a lasting presence in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. 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. This is because they help reduce plastic waste and safeguard the environment by breaking it down quickly. Historically, additives are blended into plastics to stabilize products against degradation, which is why blending additives into plastic products to promote their degradation (i.e. This outcome is achievable because the microorganisms in the environment are able to break down the structures which make the biodegradable plastic. 312Fifth Avenue, NY 10160, New York, USA | Phone: 800-468-752 | Email: [emailprotected], they are not a solution to the ocean pollution. 8. 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. On average, biodegradable plastic material can take 3 months to six months or a year to decompose. Plastics are widely used for the manufacturing of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production. Some types of biodegradable produce high methane levels during the decomposition process. First, the biomass used to produce biobased plastics must be sustainably . The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. Use of ground-breaking technology in recycling the bioplastic has closed the loop by creating the materials that lessen our reliance on traditional plastics. Bioplastics are generally compostable, which means they will decay into natural materials that will eventually blend harmlessly into the soil. Biodegradable plastics will not solve ocean pollution problems. Biodegradable & compostable plastic breaks down only in a period of a few months, depending on the material used to make the bio plastic and the method of disposal. 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. 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