When it comes to a better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the conventional one. All Rights Reserved. Humans are using different forms of plastics each day. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally-occurring bacteria and since these plastics are plant-based, a minimal amount of carbon is released during the composting process. But should premature degradation occur, resulting in bottle failure, significant liability issues could result. It is true that the production of biodegradable plastics requires. 2. 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. Thus, it contributes to conserving petroleum supplies. 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. BDP is blended with plastic materials during standard manufacturing to create products that provide the following benefits: Bioplastic is made of organic materials such as soybean and corn plus polylactic acid (PLA). Reduction in Carbon Emission. Their recycling is safe and easy as they do not release toxic chemicals into the environment. Waste Reduction. Milton Kazmeyer has worked in the insurance, financial and manufacturing fields and also served as a federal contractor. 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. Energy . In terms of the impact to the environment, bioplastic has a better performance. This is the only place where we can call our home and yet, we are slowly killing it. Keep reading to learn some of the benefits and shortcomings of bioplastics. What Are the Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic? Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 22 Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults Pros and Cons, 6 Powerful Prayers for a Safe School Year, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Such pesticides can find their way into the final product of the plastic and harm the consumers. Traditional plastics. Accordingly, plastic is also used to make biodegradable bags. 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. Traditional plastic products come from the heating and treatment of oil molecules. Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce something that can benefit the planet later on. The products produced are non-toxic as they dont contain chemicals or toxins if compared to traditional plastic. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. There are many variables that control the consumption rate of the stabilizer which keeps the PET from breaking down prematurely including temperature, humidity and UV exposure. Required fields are marked *. It takes less energy to manufacture. Here, a critical overview of the state of the art of biodegradable plastics is given. Petroleum-based materials are derived from crude oil. 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. Biodegradables eliminate these substances from being needed. We must also create the infrastructure necessary to process or decompose the biodegradables in a beneficial way. Another factor to consider is costs. 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. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. 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 website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that are easily degraded or decomposed with the help of micro-organisms under appropriate conditions of air, temperature and sunlight. Returns to nature within . 7 ). This indicates that, in contrast to traditional plastics, they are intended to degrade into biological components. In the US, only about 20% of plastic beverage containers are recycled. However, the starch (wheat starch, cassava starch, etc.) PLASTIVISION INDIA 2020. 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. The bioplastic manufacturing process emits less greenhouse gas compared to manufacturing. The most relevant applications of biodegradable plastics are packaging, including food packaging, single-use plastics, and agricultural mulch films. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. Waste, like trash from products, can end up in our environment and can harm us, especially our health. 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. That leaves us with less waste to manage over all, reducing the potential for pollution in every biome. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and all their destructive qualities. Clearly, we must consider better options for reducing the negative impact that the un-recycled plastic containers have on the environment. Such terms commonly thrown around include: sustainability, biorenewable feedstocks, environmentally friendly, carbon footprint, and responsible care. However, biodegradable plastics are still only a tiny portion of the global plastics market and require further efforts in research and commercialization. That would create fewer pressures on the overall waste stream. This means that manufacturers cannot produce biodegradable plastics without incentives from the government or other conservation authorities. Plant based, biodegradable plastics are on the rise and for good reason. Reduces Waste. Biodegradable plastics can decompose quickly in specific situations. Biodegradable and compostable plastic is becoming a more frequent option on store shelves as the demand for "green" products grows. 11. Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 Over the course of their lifetime, bioplastics do emit much fewer greenhouse gasses than conventional plastics. Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic (OBP) Hydro-Biodegradable Plastic (HBP) Made by adding a small portion of fatty acid compounds of specific transition metals to traditional plastics. Biodegradable plastics are commonly used for disposable items, such as packaging, cutlery, and food service containers. biodegradable plastics are also extremely . 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. The packaging industry alone produces 161 million tons of plastic . That would mean we would need to come up with a system where it can be disposed of properly instead of winding up in other areas where it does not belong. 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. Biodegradable plastics create a new marketing platform. Because these items do not typically exist with biodegradable items, we would be able to take advantage of this supplemental benefit immediately. New, biodegradable plastics and better recycling strategies are two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic waste. Using a material flow analysis, the challenges of the plastic market are highlighted, and with it the . When you dispose of them and they begin to decompose in some way, then that gas is released into the atmosphere. Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we actually consume less energy to produce them. Biodegradable plastics may reduce the amount of recycling that we can do. In response, several companies have developed technology that they claim makes PET plastic beverage bottles biodegradable. GreenCore is a biodegradable shotshell wad that decomposes on exposure to bacteria naturally present in the environment. Source Reduction. To unpack this, that means that a bioplastic can be inherently non-biodegradable. What suppliers does Coffee Bio-composite biodegradable plastic resins have? Biodegradable plastics consume less energy during the manufacturing cycle. When it comes to a simple step you can take to save the Earth, changing your conventional plastic to bioplastic is the right choice. Saves Non-renewable Sources of Energy. 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. It releases fewer harmful substances when breaking down. When we create this mixture, the plastic products often have more strength as well. To help you fully understand, here are some advantages when you decide to use bioplastics. Its polymers occur naturally. 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. 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. Bioplastics are generally compostable, which means they will decay into natural materials that will eventually blend harmlessly into the soil. It takes less energy to manufacture. That means it may not be an affordable solution for everyone right now, but it could be in the future. For instance, a major use of recycled plastic is to mold items for use outdoors (e.g., park benches). The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Oxo-degradable plastic has a long time span of usability. The Growing Problem Of Plastic Waste And How To Recycle Plastic Bags, Are Clear Plastic Food Containers Recyclable? Click to reveal While there are many obvious benefits to people switching to biodegradable plastics, there are also problems that arise. The initial investment might be high, but it is worth it as it will also reduce the server effects on the environment. 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. 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. Additionally, they contaminate other plastic recycling processes and end up producing microplastics. Is it justifiable to grow cash crops for manufacturing purposes at a time when people need food to eat? The goal should be to reduce overall plastic consumption. This carbon is released into the atmosphere when the used plastic begins to decompose or melt. Reduction in Carbon Emission. 2. The benefit of helping our planet is something that we cannot overlook. 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. More info, Friday, November The food containers, pens, and water bottles in your office and household are all plastic. 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