The main costs when looking to produce these plastics is the equipment used to make them. Marol, Andheri(East), Mumbai - 400 093, Maharashtra, INDIA. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a key ingredient in resin and plastic manufacturing. Using a material flow analysis, the challenges of the plastic market are highlighted, and with it the . Biodegradable plastics are plastics degraded by microorganisms into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under specified conditions. We would use the solid forms for bags, water bottles, and food containers. Lesser Energy Consumption. Its polymers occur naturally. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable polymers to make plastic bags is the significant reduction in the carbon emissions that happen during the manufacturing process as compared to that of regular plastic. 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. Plastics are a central part of modern life. According to a business analysis from MarketsandMarkets, the market for biodegradable plastics is anticipated to reach $6.12 billion by 2023. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. SUWON, South Korea -- South Korean conglomerate CJ Cheiljedang is jumping into the global market to begin mass production of PHA . When the cornstarch molecules encounter water, then they slowly absorb it, swelling up to break the item into smaller pieces. The use of biodegradable plastics is preferable because they degrade quickly, may be absorbed by the soil, and can even be turned into compost. There are many benefits of using biodegradable plastics. They found a bacteria called Flavobacterium in pools containing waste water from a nylon mill that degraded nylon. 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. or solid (food containers, leaf collections bags, water bottles, etc.). These materials are environmental-friendly and decompose quickly. When choosing a "biodegradable" product, the consumer tends to forget about the fact that mountains of waste pile up every year in the landfills. Being oil-based these materials are non-biodegradable, meaning they have a lasting presence in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. In essence, the bioplastic production process emits only 8% of carbon dioxide. 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 new plastic compound is BioLogiQ's NuPlastiQ GP General Purpose BioPolymer which is a 100% natural, renewably-resourced, plant-based resin that has been certified by TUV Austria to marine biodegrade in 28 days. Bioplastic is made of organic materials such as soybean and corn plus polylactic acid (PLA). By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. 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. The bio-based material in the production of bioplastics makes them biodegradable. They also help to further break down the structure of a biodegradable plastic. Its polymers occur naturally. Specialized bacteria may hold the key to reducing already-existing plastic deposits, however. 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. The manufacturing process of biodegradable plastics requires fewer amounts of energy. 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. 2. Plastics and its by-products are cluttering up our cities, oceans and contributing to deadly health problems in humans and animals. Bagasse Products An Essential Step Towards Earth! will replace the plastic composition, with the addition of additives to improve the features of the bag. Methane is a central greenhouse gas with higher heat absorption than carbon dioxide. 1. Also, they do not need fossil fuels to be recycled. In fact, the creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional plastic. It takes less energy to manufacture. Some of these biodegradable items can break down in a measurement timed in weeks instead of months or years. It means that a bioplastic can contain 0 percent bio-based materials. 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 do not account for herbicides and pesticides. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. The benefit of helping our planet is something that we cannot overlook. The formation of traditional plastic involves use of carbon in an excessive amount. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. The need to use more land for croplands is another problem that is faced. We must also use water resources to crow the crops needed for the raw materials as well. This makes them conserve non-renewable sources of energy such as petroleum. Both techniques are discussed in the recent IDTechEx. So, biodegradable plastics are a good idea for conserving the environment and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 3. The list of benefits of using biodegradable polymers is listed as follows: It is Easy to recycle biodegradable polymers: These polymers not only decompose faster when discarded but can also be easily recycled using an organic method. 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. We would need more factors to help contribute to the effort of dealing with waste. 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). If we throw out these plastics in the landfill last we would the traditional items, then they will follow a path that is similar to the non-biodegradable option. So, the non-renewable material still can harm the environment. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. 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. Waste Reduction. The usage of biodegradable plastic products will reduce the number of landfills as these products undergo biodegradation when buried or given to composting. Biodegradable plastics consume less energy during manufacturing. You can use less energy to create a large amount of plastic within a short duration. The major benefits of biodegradable plastic are that it is environmentally friendly and does not contribute to pollution like traditional petroleum-based 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. 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. Biodegradable plastics must follow a specific disposal procedure. 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. Reuse old plastic bags or invest in some fabric shopping 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. The food containers, pens, and water bottles in your office and household are all plastic. Knowing the advantages of the options can help you address the plastic issue. While it has many advantages, biodegradable plastic can be a bad idea. Biodegradable plastics do not guarantee a net savings. Generally, biodegradable plastic means plastics that can be broken down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass by living things, typically microbes. The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to "metabolize" and break down the plastic structure. Fig. Your IP: Another factor to consider is costs. During decomposition, the contamination can get to the soil or water and have harmful effects on animals and humans. The product is still single use plastic 2. 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. Bioplastics are considered to be more eco-friendly than traditional plastics. Unlike other plastics, bioplastics can decompose naturally. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and all their destructive qualities. Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce something that can benefit the planet later on. Biodegradation is the process of breaking down of particles into water, carbon dioxide and biomass through the micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria. It is typically derived from natural byproducts and is manufactured under strict temperature and humidity controls. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction in carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. The short answer Pros Reduces fossil fuel demand. Biodegradable plastics are on the rise as a solution to this problem. While it decomposes naturally, biodegradable plastics behave like other plastics when in the ocean. Your email address will not be published. This waste would otherwise be sent to landfills in order to discard them. Required fields are marked *. ). 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. Due to the raw materials and certain making process, bioplastic has a slightly higher price than fossil fuel plastic. Therefore, bioplastics still need special disposal treatment to minimize the harmful effect. Your email address will not be published. If your company needs assistance in making products that are more environmentally friendly and/or using plastics that are biobased, we can help. When bioplastics enter the conventional plastic recycling stream they may contaminate the recycling process. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. When it comes to a better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the conventional one. Biodegradable plastics can reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. Plastics are widely used for the manufacturing of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production. 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. The microorganisms in soil will break down the plastic pieces into compost, humus, and other useful compounds. Reduction in Carbon Emission. This contamination gets transferred to the final products. 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