Bio Degradable Plastics are plastics that degrade over time and are derived from renewable resources. These materials are more environmentally friendly and are considered to pose fewer risks to marine life than conventional plastics. However, there are some drawbacks to these materials. For instance, they are more expensive, and they may not be as safe as conventional plastics.
Bio degradable plastics are derived from renewable resources
Biodegradable plastics are derived by a natural process from renewable raw materials, such as plants, algae, and bacteria. Biodegradable plastics are environmentally friendly and help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. They are biocompatible and highly degradable and can be recycled in certain processes. Biodegradable plastics can be used in a variety of industrial applications and are a viable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Biodegradable plastics are produced by converting renewable resources into a biopolymer. Most commercial polymers are derived from petroleum feedstocks, which are not sustainable. Examples of biodegradable polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
The European Bioplastics Association estimates that worldwide production of bioplastics is about 2 million tonnes per year, with two-thirds of this volume coming from biodegradable plastics. By 2016, the global bioplastics production capacity will increase five-fold. This will change the world’s plastic production from 58% bio-based to 87% bio-based. The demand for bioplastics is driven by several factors, including high fossil fuel prices and the growing demand for environmentally friendly products. Biodegradable plastics have a high potential for widespread adoption, including higher recycling rates.
Biodegradable plastics can be composted in home compost heaps or commercial composting stations. In addition, they facilitate the diverting of food waste from landfill to compost. They can also be used to make products that decompose in soil. This reduces the need for natural gas for the composting process.
Bioplastics can be produced from seaweed, which is a rich source of polysaccharides. Their polysaccharides can make up to 40 percent of their dry weight. These polysaccharides are used in the production of biodegradable plastic films. These films are characterized by low gas permeability and desirable mechanical properties.
They are more eco-friendly
Bio degradable plastics are plastic items that are designed to break down into harmless carbon dioxide and water within a specified timeframe. The term “bio degradable” implies that they are completely biodegradable, but not all of these products are biodegradable. For example, some degradable plastics may break down into microscopic particles that can end up in animals’ stomachs and contaminate their bodies. This can create problems for the food chain.
The production of biodegradable plastics is gaining ground around the world. According to a European Bioplastics report, bio-based plastics require only 0.02 percent of agricultural land for their production. That is far less than the amount of land required for food or feed production.
Several studies have been conducted to assess whether bio degradable plastics are more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics. In one, researchers compared seven traditional plastics, four bio degradable plastics, and a synthetic plastic made of renewable resources. They found that biodegradable plastics contributed greater amounts of pollutants than traditional plastics, owing to fertilizers and chemical processing to convert organic material into plastic. In addition, bioplastics also require more land than traditional plastics, contributing more to ozone depletion than traditional plastics. The B-PET was found to be the least eco-friendly of all biodegradable plastics, having the most carcinogens and potential to harm ecosystems.
While biodegradable plastics are more environmentally-friendly than petroleum-based plastics, the problem is proper disposal. Many bio-based plastics do not degrade easily and need to be processed in specialized facilities. Therefore, they must be separated from regular garbage and returned to these facilities. Unfortunately, most municipalities do not have these facilities yet, and this can lead to environmental problems.
They are more expensive
Although bio degradable plastics have been developing for some time, their cost remains higher than conventional polymers. This is primarily due to the high polymerization cost and the fact that biodegradable plastics are still in the early stages of development. This means that the cost of these materials is not yet economically viable.
Biodegradable plastics have several advantages over petrochemical alternatives. They are generally cheaper to produce, but the initial investment is higher and the yields are low. For example, making a single bottle of biodegradable plastic may cost 50% more than a similar plastic bottle made from petroleum-based materials. Moreover, the process to refine biodegradable plastics may take years and even decades.
Bio degradable plastics can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They use less energy during production and release fewer greenhouse gases when disposed in landfills. Some bioplastics are even compostable and use less water than regular plastics. However, they may not break down as quickly as regular plastics, causing them to remain more expensive.
Because bioplastics are produced from renewable sources, they have the potential to replace petroleum-based plastics. The process of producing biodegradable plastics involves the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and chemical processing. These processes are often associated with harmful environmental effects. Bioplastics are more expensive because they are more complex to produce than petroleum-based plastics. They also require more research and development.
They pose a threat to marine life
Bio degradable plastics are not entirely biodegradable and pose a threat to marine life. They can remain in the ocean and ingest harmful microbes and algal species. Furthermore, they cause damage to fisheries and coral reefs. According to recent studies, as many as one million seabirds die every year from plastic waste.
The degradation of bio degradable plastics is a multistep process and requires specific conditions such as pH, temperature, and sunlight. Some microplastics can also be adsorbents of inorganic nutrients and attract bacteria and viruses. This contamination process can affect BMPs’ biodegradability because they may form biofilms that inhibit the effects of UV radiation. Moreover, these biofilms can alter the buoyancy of the particles and weaken their hydrophobicity.
The effect of bio degradable plastics on marine life is still unclear. However, they have been found to disrupt the hormone balance of marine animals, disrupt reproductive systems, and cause endocrine disruption. Moreover, biodegradable plastics do not decompose fast enough in open oceans. The temperature needed for decomposition is too high for them.
The presence of plastics in the ocean has been found to encourage the growth of pathogens. In fact, it has been estimated that by the year 2050, all seabirds will have consumed plastic. This has been largely due to the single-use plastics.
It is essential to use biodegradable plastic products responsibly to reduce plastic waste. The resulting landfills and ocean pollution are a significant threat to marine life. These plastics are not completely biodegradable and may contain heavy metals. Moreover, the bio degradable plastics release methane during the decomposition process. This gas is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide and can speed up climate change.
They are more versatile
Bio degradable plastics have several benefits for the environment. These include the ability to decompose in a landfill, which is an important step towards reducing plastic waste. These products can also be used in many different applications, such as bio-waste collection bags and other items attached to bio-waste. Biodegradable mulch film can also be used in agriculture to reduce the risk of long-term plastic accumulation in soil. Compared to conventional mulch films, biodegradable mulch film is more easily removed from farmland.
However, bio degradable plastics can be difficult to distinguish from conventional plastics, so it is important to know how to differentiate between the two. Some plastics that are biodegradable do not degrade in most environments, so they must be used under specific conditions. In addition, some biodegradable plastics can produce methane during decomposition in landfills, which is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide, which may accelerate climate change.
Bio degradable plastics are composed of traditional petrochemicals, which are modified to break down more quickly. They are also infused with additives to speed up the process of decay. For example, PHAs break down faster in the presence of oxygen, light, and moisture. If they are exposed to the UV rays of the sun, they break down even faster.
Bio degradable plastics are more expensive than conventional plastics, but these prices may reduce as new technologies become available. Furthermore, some types of bioplastics may release heavy metals during decomposition. A recent report by the Guardian found that one brand of bioplastic contained high levels of cobalt. This raises questions about the level of toxicity left in the plastic even after decomposition. Finally, biodegradable plastics are not suitable for composting and recycling.
