Biodegradable plastic is a plant-based plastic with no hazardous effects on the environment. Its polymers occur naturally. Of the biodegradable plastics, an average of 200 ktpa are produced per type. In the Evidence Review Report, a working group of leading experts nominated by academies across Europe conclude that biodegradable plastic has a role to play in reducing the accumulation of plastics in the environment. Biodegradable plastics degrade in a much reasonable time frame and can be more renewable than plastics today. AIPMA House, 2nd floor, A-52, StreetNo. Humans are using different forms of plastics each day. Biodegradable; When made with biodegradable polymers, hemp plastic is completely biodegradable, unlike regular plastics. Recently a company in Mexico worked out how to turn the biodegradable material into plastic. Plastic pollution is growing at such an alarming rate because it just keeps piling up and up. 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, there are some notes you need to consider regarding its safety. But, nothing is perfect and biodegradable plastics are no exception. Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 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. Plastics make up approximately 13% of our current waste stream. 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. Biodegradable plastics could create new export industries. A major benefit of biodegradable plastics is considerably decreasing carbon emissions during manufacturing. Also, microplastics are leading water contaminants. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a key ingredient in resin and plastic manufacturing. If the plastic park bench contains plastic containing additives that promote environmental degradation, the park bench will fall apart. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. Biodegradable Plastics are Easy to Recycle. Biodegradable plastics use natural products; therefore, the use of bioplastic can profoundly reduce the amount of petroleum used and consequently lessen its environmental hazards. 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. Safety helmets and medical devices also rely on plastics. The use of biodegradable plastics is becoming increasingly important as traditional plastic continues to harm the environment. Advantages of Biodegradable Plastics. A major benefit of biodegradable plastics is considerably decreasing carbon emissions during manufacturing. Hence, plastic, defined as biodegradable, is made of molecule that can break down naturally by the action of micro-organisms. At our current technology levels, it costs up to 50% more to manufacture biodegradable plastics than it does to follow the traditional production cycle. Bioplastics degrade under well regulated conditions of temperature and humidity in industrial settings. 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. List of the Advantages of Biodegradable Plastics 1. Scientists estimate that there could be more waste plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050, with tap water containing microplastics up to 80% of the time. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/how-sustainable-are-biodegradable-and-plant-based-plastics, https://letsdoitfoundation.org/2020/09/04/what-are-biodegradable-plastics-the-need-for-a-clarified-terminology/, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191030-why-biodegradables-wont-solve-the-plastic-crisis, https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-uses-biodegradable-plastics.php, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodegradable-plastic-guide#what-are-the-benefits-of-biodegradable-plastic Images, http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201209000882, https://bioplasticsnews.com/2015/09/03/biodegradable-plastics-will-grow-10-8-per-year/, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/this-plastic-bag-is-100-biodegradable-and-made-of-plants/, https://news.stanford.edu/2016/07/28/catalyst-making-biodegradable-plastics/, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/waste/can-bioplastics-save-us-from-drowning-in-our-own-waste--66999, A Division of Cloud PublicationsEmail:Info@packcon.orgTel: (+91)- 1202648076, TAPPI Student ChapterGadomski School of Engineering, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN, USA), Michael Turner, Christian Brothers University, USA, The Importance of Packaging in the Clinical Trial World, Turning Packaging into a Sustainable Business Opportunity, Development of Red Meat Packaging and How it Influences Consumer Purchasing, Steps to Designing a Sterile Medical Device Package, Coca-Colas PlantBottle Revolutionizing Packaging, Plastic Packagings Major Flaw; Advancements and Alternatives to Overcoming Plastic Packaging, The Technical and Sustainable Processes of Aerosol, Biodegradable Plastics: The Sustainable Solution. The end-products of bio plastic also cause less harm to the environment as compared to the traditional plastic. This includes financial losses to the fishing and tourism sectors as well as expenses for beach cleanup. 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 food containers, pens, and water bottles in your office and household are all plastic. Thus, they either turn into microplastics or float on the sea. These are harmful to the overall health of a person and can lead to long-term health problems. Biodegradable plastics can decompose quickly in specific situations. Many plastics today leave a huge impact on our environments and that can have huge consequences on peoples livelihoods. Plastics are a central part of modern life. 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. Biodegradable plastics have many advantages, which include: 1. 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 plastics are plastics degraded by microorganisms into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under specified conditions. Biodegradable plastics are often considered a savior product. If we can transition to this item, then the potential for waste reduction, micro-plastic contamination, and even ocean acidity can all see significant benefits. A number of conditions have to be met for biodegradable and compostable plastics to have positive environmental impacts. Conventional plastics, like fossil-fuel plastics come from natural gas or petroleum. They reduce use of fossil fuel resources, producing a smaller carbon footprint. Bioplastics come from natural sources, including crops like corn and switchgrass. Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we actually consume less energy to produce them. In essence, the bioplastic production process emits only 8% of carbon dioxide. One major problem with plastic is that it often takes an extremely long time for it to break down once discarded, leading to massive problems with landfill waste and posing a danger to wildlife. Biodegradable materials decompose into harmless substances including carbon dioxide, water vapor, and organic debris. The goal should be to reduce overall plastic consumption. This is the only place where we can call our home and yet, we are slowly killing it. 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. These materials take centuries to decompose, becoming a threat to the environment, humans, and animals. In addition, natural byproducts are typically used to manufacture biodegradable plastic. Traditional plastic comes from heating and treating oil molecules until they turn into polymers, representing about 2.7 percent of America's petroleum consumption. Assuming demand continues to increase while production volumes rise at a lower manufacturing cost, the eventual consumer prices for this option should be similar to most of the conventional plastics that we use today. All these contribute positively to curbing global warming. Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus. 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. Once the natural materials are turned into polymers, they can work with the ones that were manufactured using oil molecules. PHA may provide a solution for the plastic pollution problem. The Coca-Cola Company has already created a bio-plastic bottle that they can use with their beverages. They consumed about 130,000 tons domestically, and then exported the remainder during that year. These items are finding their way into our oceans and even contaminating our drinking water. If were talking about the bio ingredients that can decompose faster than conventional plastic, these materials are safe for the environment. In 1975, a group of Japanese researchers identified the basic idea behind biodegradable plastics. For instance, a major use of recycled plastic is to mold items for use outdoors (e.g., park benches). While reducing landfill space may be a benefit, the tradeoff may be nullified due to this drawback. Though the initial investment in the biodegradable plastics might be slightly higher, in. Having biodegradable plastics as an alternative will help with the inability to recycle normal plastics. 4 Reasons Why Biodegradable Plastics Benefit the Environment 1. However, the exact amount of time it takes depends on various aspects such as moisture levels and temperature. 3. However, experts have yet to see verified data that clearly confirms the efficacy and safety of such products. In addition, bioplastic will break down after 3-6 months, while fossil fuel plastic takes years to fully degrade. This is very beneficial to us now more than ever. It takes less energy to manufacture. That means we can mix the traditional manufacturing cycle with the natural one, reducing the percentage that comes from fossil fuels. In the past, this substance was used in plastic tableware, water bottles, and sports equipment. Plastic makes up around 13 percent of the waste stream, representing 32 million tons of waste. Biodegradable plastics may produce methane in landfills. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction . What suppliers does Coffee Bio-composite biodegradable plastic resins have? Biodegradable reduce the amount of plastic ending in a landfill. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. In principle, biodegradable plastics could replace many applications for conventional plastics. 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. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally-occurring bacteria. Paper Example on Biodegradable Plastics: Environmental Benefits, Costs, and Regulations . 3. . Biodegradable plastics are designed to biodegrade in a specific medium (water, soil, compost) under certain conditions and in varying periods of time. More info, Friday, November With zero oil-based content, it does not require refining processes that result in the release of high carbon dioxide to the environment. 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. When choosing a "biodegradable" product, the consumer tends to forget about the fact that mountains of waste pile up every year in the landfills. Another factor to consider is costs. Because the plants that produce bioplastics absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as they grew, there is no net increase in carbon dioxide as they decompose. 1, M.I.D.C. Traditional plastics. We can definitely benefit from the presence of biodegradable plastics because they can decompose effectively in our environment without creating a pollutive effect. 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. Global Blow Molded Plastics Market Forecast: $191.6 Billion By 2025, 4 Innovations That Promote Plastic Recycling, 4 Common Plastic Recycling Processes You Should Be Aware Of, 6 Ways Digitisation Has Positively Impacted The Plastic Molding Process, Understanding The Importance Of Recycling Plastics, The Importance Of Design For Optimizing Plastic Manufacturing Costs, Importance Of Technology In Plastic Manufacturing. Are biodegradable films food grade? 40% of all plastic is used for packaging, used one time and then discarded. It creates a result which is believed to be eco-friendly compared to the traditional plastics that we throw away every day. Returns to nature within . 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. Some solutions include electric cars, having more green spaces, or having more recycling and trash pickup initiatives, all of which will help us with creating a better and sustainable planet. Another drawback is the fact that biodegradable plastics may need to be disposed of in a certain way to properly degrade. There is also the potential to create more pollution. As you may know, the raw materials for producing these plastics come from plants such as corn and soybeans. Currently, the Coffee Bio-composite biodegradable plastic product is a bioplastic material derived from coffee grounds which is researched, developed and owned exclusively by the Biopolymer team of Veritas Vietnam Joint Stock Company.. These advantages include: Fewer carbon emissions Waste Reduction Better waste management Better recycling Reduced pollution Reduced toxicity in the environment Lesser species endangerment Decreased use of petroleum Decreased health risks 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 short answer Pros Reduces fossil fuel demand. In terms of the impact to the environment, bioplastic has a better performance. Also, the environment matters. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 1. While it decomposes naturally, biodegradable plastics behave like other plastics when in the ocean. With the increased usage of plastics, people will need more spaces for landfills. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. 185.229.237.37 2. Also, it makes it cheap to deal with plastic wastes. Required fields are marked *. Casein polymers, PBS and PHA add up to the 2% of other biodegradable plastics in their worldwide demand (Fig. In other cases, including single-use packaging and plastic bags, it . 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. However, scientists came up with a solution through the invention of biodegradable plastics. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. Moreover, biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally in the environment when microorganisms metabolize and break down the structure. We would need more factors to help contribute to the effort of dealing with waste. Yes, it is! For instance, you can use them to create renewable energy biogases or as compost material in your yard. We are producing more waste plastic today than ever before in human history. 11) Avocado. For now, our biodegradable facial sheet masks are: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol and our NEW Cica + Niacinamide. Therefore, bioplastics still need special disposal treatment to minimize the harmful effect. The Benefits of Biodegradable Plastics. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. Waste Reduction. As this is plant-based, the manufacturing process produces far fewer carbon emissions than traditional plastic. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Biodegradable plastics require the weather to cooperate with their disposal. One of the technologies that may help reduce the impact of waste is to utilize biodegradable plastics. With scarcity issues and hunger affecting about 1 in 5 families in the developed world and significantly more in developing nations, there is an ethics question to consider when attempting to expand this industry. Plastics are widely used for the manufacturing of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production. This amount is 68% less than that of traditional plastics. 8. 2. We would use the solid forms for bags, water bottles, and food containers. These materials are environmental-friendly and decompose quickly. SUWON, South Korea -- South Korean conglomerate CJ Cheiljedang is jumping into the global market to begin mass production of PHA . Plastics are but one small facet of the problem. 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. Biodegradable plastics do not account for herbicides and pesticides. You must pay attention to the quality and labeling of the bioplastic items upon purchase to ensure that you are using items that can decompose rapidly. 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. You can use less energy to create a large amount of plastic within a short duration. At least 85% of the 40 million tons of municipal plastic waste anticipated to be produced in the U.S. in 2021 was dumped there, according to Statista. 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