Bioplastics: an alternative to traditional plastic made from renewable biomass sources such as corn starch or vegetable fats and oils.

 

Plastic pollution is a significant global issue that has detrimental impacts on our environment and human health. Traditional plastics, made from petroleum-based sources, take hundreds of years to decompose, causing severe damage to wildlife and ecosystems. However, bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative, made from renewable biomass sources such as corn starch or vegetable fats and oils. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of bioplastics and how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.

What are Bioplastics?

Bioplastics are a type of plastic that is made from natural, renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, cassava, and vegetable fats and oils. They can be biodegradable, compostable, or both, depending on the material's composition. Biodegradable bioplastics can break down naturally in the environment, while compostable bioplastics require specific conditions to degrade fully, such as high temperatures and moisture.

Types of Bioplastics

There are two main types of bioplastics: bio-based and biodegradable.

Bio-based bioplastics are made from renewable biomass sources and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics. They are commonly used for packaging, bags, and disposable cutlery. Examples of bio-based bioplastics include polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

Biodegradable bioplastics can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste. However, they often require specific conditions to degrade fully and may not be suitable for all applications. Examples of biodegradable bioplastics include polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polyethylene furanoate (PEF).

Benefits of Bioplastics

1. Renewable Resource: Bioplastics are made from renewable biomass sources, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.
2. Biodegradable/Compostable: Biodegradable and compostable bioplastics can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste.
3. Lower Carbon Footprint: Bioplastics have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
4. Versatile: Bioplastics can be used for a variety of applications, including packaging, cutlery, and textiles.

Drawbacks of Bioplastics:

1. Cost: Bioplastics are often more expensive than traditional plastics, making them less accessible to some consumers.
2. Recycling and Composting: Bioplastics require specific conditions to degrade fully, and many recycling facilities do not have the infrastructure to process them properly.
3. Land Use: The production of bioplastics requires significant land use, potentially competing with food production and contributing to deforestation.

Examples of Bioplastics:

1. Coca-Cola's PlantBottle: Coca-Cola introduced the PlantBottle in 2009, made from up to 30% plant-based material. The PlantBottle has a lower carbon footprint than traditional petroleum-based bottles, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Adidas' Futurecraft Loop: Adidas launched the Futurecraft Loop in 2019, a 100% recyclable running shoe made from biodegradable materials. The Futurecraft Loop can be returned to Adidas to be recycled into a new pair of shoes.
3. Avani Eco's Biodegradable Bags: Avani Eco produces biodegradable bags made from cassava starch, reducing plastic waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, made from renewable biomass sources and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Biodegradable and compostable bioplastics can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste and combating climate change. However, bioplastics are not a perfect solution and require significant improvements in recycling and composting infrastructure to become a widespread solution. Furthermore, the production of bioplastics requires significant land use, potentially competing with food production and contributing to deforestation. Therefore, bioplastics should not be considered a complete replacement for traditional plastics but rather an alternative that can contribute to a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, made from renewable biomass sources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biodegradable and compostable bioplastics can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste and combating climate change. However, improvements in recycling and composting infrastructure are necessary to make bioplastics a widespread solution. The production of bioplastics also requires significant land use, potentially competing with food production and contributing to deforestation. Therefore, the use of bioplastics should be considered alongside other sustainable solutions to address the issue of plastic pollution.

Sources:

1. European Bioplastics. (2022). Bioplastics facts and figures. Retrieved from https://www.european-bioplastics.org/facts-and-figures/
2. United Nations Environment Programme. (2018). Biodegradable plastics and marine litter. Misconceptions, concerns and impacts on marine environments. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
3. Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700782
4. Bioplastics Magazine. (2022). Applications. Retrieved from https://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/applications
5. World Wildlife Fund. (2022). Bioplastics. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/bioplastics
6. Avani Eco. (2022). About us. Retrieved from https://www.avanieco.com/about-us/
7. Adidas. (2022). Futurecraft Loop. Retrieved from https://www.adidas.com/us/futurecraft
8. The Coca-Cola Company. (2022). PlantBottle. Retrieved from https://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/innovation-plantbottle-packaging#TCCC
9. National Geographic. (2022). Bioplastics: Are they the solution to the plastic pollution crisis? Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/11/are-bioplastics-made-from-plants-better-for-environment-ocean-plastic/