Waste is a major problem that we encounter every day. For example, how do you control the PET bottle degradation so that it takes place in the environment and not while on the shelf at the retailer or the consumers home? Switching to biodegradables is a step in the right direction, but it is not the final solution that we require. This can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that come from producing them, which is an obvious benefit to our environment. Accordingly, plastic is also used to make biodegradable bags. Made from bio-based sources such as corn, wheat, sugar-cane, petroleum-based . 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. When it comes to a simple step you can take to save the Earth, changing your conventional plastic to bioplastic is the right choice. Types of Biodegradable Packaging Materials. Both techniques are discussed in the recent IDTechEx. 9. Biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally when bacteria in the environment are able to "metabolize" and break down the plastic structure. Environmentally . Therefore, bioplastics still need special disposal treatment to minimize the harmful effect. Does it really matter to you if there are biodegradable micro-plastics in your tap water instead of traditional plastics? Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 We specialize in material selection and testing, plastic part design, service life prediction, forensic failure analysis, chemical resistance testing, due diligence studies on new plastic technologies, troubleshooting/problem solving in plastic manufacturing, and consulting on new opportunities and uses for existing products. 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. Our current technologies can produce 1 metric ton of PLA from 100 bushels of corn. Our plastics scientists and engineers have decades of experience. However, some bioplastics are not fully using natural ingredients. Biodegradable plastic bags need a few months to a few years to completely decompose, depending on the environment that is populated by microbes to speed up the process. Such terms commonly thrown around include: sustainability, biorenewable feedstocks, environmentally friendly, carbon footprint, and responsible care. Lower petroleum consumption is also another benefit when considering biodegradable plastics. Marol, Andheri(East), Mumbai - 400 093, Maharashtra, INDIA. Also, microplastics are leading water contaminants. Plastics and its by-products are cluttering up our cities, oceans and contributing to deadly health problems in humans and animals. More info, Friday, November Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. What Is Recyclable Plastic And How Can It Be Recycled? One way to mitigate the trash dilemma is to design new biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics require less energy during the manufacturing cycle. Learn more about the benefits. The need to use more land for croplands is another problem that is faced. That means we can mix the traditional manufacturing cycle with the natural one, reducing the percentage that comes from fossil fuels. In 2016, China produced approximately 290,000 tons of biodegradable plastics. As a consequence, the land that could have been used for agriculture, residence or industrial applications is converted into landfills by non-biodegradable plastic. 3. He began his writing career in 2007 and now works full-time as a writer and transcriptionist. 2. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. Biodegradable plastics can decompose quickly in specific situations. Reduce the amount of bags used - refuse new plastic bags in stores. They reduce use of fossil fuel resources, producing a smaller carbon footprint. Composting goes much slower when the weather turns colder. Many of the advantages of bioplastics rely on a net savings being created by a reducing of energy, water, or greenhouse gas emissions. The machines that are necessary to produce these plastics and to maintain them is another major cost to take into consideration. Besides, there are many benefits using biodegradable plastics. 2. When choosing a "biodegradable" product, the consumer tends to forget about the fact that mountains of waste pile up every year in the landfills. There are some who are trying new ways to do things in hopes of slowing down the effects. In contrast, biodegradable plastics do not release carbon or methane as no carbon is used in its manufacturing process. Some farmers use herbicides and insecticides, or other contaminant chemicals on these plants. We do not need to make completely new products using biodegradable plastics to create an environmental benefit with this technology. 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. While this is an excellent idea as it helps businesses save on costs, plastics are turning into an environmental disaster. Many of the mature markets for plastic products in the developed world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon and waste footprints. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could take up space for more than a century. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Reduces Waste. Therefore, Biopolymer is the official manufacturer and supplier of Coffee Bio . As you may know, the raw materials for producing these plastics come from plants such as corn and soybeans. 7. Biodegradable plastics are commonly used for disposable items, such as packaging, cutlery, and food service containers. 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. Plastics have been in the world of packaging for a very long time. 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. Because biodegradable plastics do not always require CO2 as part of the manufacturing process, then this greenhouse gas release may never occur during the decomposition process. 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. Your email address will not be published. Looking at the amount of waste we produce and how we handle said waste, we need to do more and have more impactful ways to deal with it. This includes financial losses to the fishing and tourism sectors as well as expenses for beach cleanup. Because these items do not typically exist with biodegradable items, we would be able to take advantage of this supplemental benefit immediately. 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 plastics. When they begin to break down in the environment, bacteria in the soil begin to consume the components. A bioplastic may be 100 percent fossil-based. Bioplastics are not as toxic as other plastics. The product is still single use plastic 10. Manufacturers and product designers choose plastic due to its ease of use, versatility, and durability. They do not decompose due to low temperatures. During times of high humidity, the process almost comes to a complete stop. Unlike traditional plastics, biodegradables require less energy to produce. Bagasse Products An Essential Step Towards Earth! For now, our biodegradable facial sheet masks are: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol and our NEW Cica + Niacinamide. We must address the causes of why we pollute in the first place to ensure our biomes remain healthy for future generations. Your email address will not be published. Since you can recycle or decompose them, you will not require setting up new dumps despite having a considerable amount of plastic waste in your office or home. Biodegradable plastic's ability to break down within a year means it has several advantages over traditional plastics: It decreases the waste sent to landfills or incinerators. The microorganisms in soil will break down the plastic pieces into compost, humus, and other useful compounds. Our primary concern with greenhouse gas emissions is with carbon dioxide, but we must also consider the amount of methane that we release each year. Even with the downsides of using biodegradable plastic like the costs, it would still be more beneficial to switch to biodegradable plastic rather than continuing to use plastics like how we have been for many years. Biodegradable plastics require the weather to cooperate with their disposal. While there are several types of biodegradable plastics currently in use, plastics treated with BDP provide a great balance of durability, sustainability, and ease of use. On the other hand, conventional plastic bags take hundreds of years to completely degrade. Below are four reasons why biodegradable plastics benefit the environment and help save natural resources. Humans are using different forms of plastics each day. Traditional plastic comes from heating and treating oil molecules until they turn into polymers, representing about 2.7 percent of America's petroleum consumption. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. 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. Its polymers occur naturally. For instance, a major use of recycled plastic is to mold items for use outdoors (e.g., park benches). It will also help with cleaning the environment and help reduce the impact we have on the environment as a whole. These are harmful to the overall health of a person and can lead to long-term health problems. However, the benefits that plastics bring to our lives are accompanied by concerns about the impact that waste plastics have on the environment. 10. Biodegradable Plastics are Easy to Recycle. When you use biodegradable plastics instead of items made through the traditional refinement process, then fewer greenhouse gas emissions escape into the atmosphere. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. When PBAT is mixed with NuPlastiQ GP, it will also biodegrade in marine environments. It is possible to boost the biodegradability of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a process known as bioaugmentation. Biodegradable plastic is not a solution for overconsumption. 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. Products that are biodegradable degrade substantially more quickly than recyclable products. Biodegradable plastics are a new type of plastic that can degrade naturally through biological processes. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally-occurring bacteria. For example, the corn-based plastic polymer PLA uses 65 percent less energy than creating a similar polymer from raw petroleum. Returns to nature within . Biodegradable plastics consume less fossil fuels, produce less carbon dioxide, and degrade less harmfully. Phthalates soften the plastic to turn it into PVC. Created to address the plastic waste problem, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of time. On the other hand, the term bioplastics refers to polymers made from renewable biomass sources, such as plant lipids and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, and recovered food waste, among others. Biodegradable plastics consume less energy during the manufacturing cycle. Low carbon emission The production of biodegradable plastics does not involve the burning of fossils. 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. 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. Knowing the advantages of the options can help you address the plastic issue. Change Plastic for Good benefits the planet through BDP which is designed to enhance the biodegradation of plastic. Furthermore, the wads are denser than water, allowing them . Bioplastics are considered to be more eco-friendly than traditional plastics. A number of conditions have to be met for biodegradable and compostable plastics to have positive environmental impacts. Additionally, they contaminate other plastic recycling processes and end up producing microplastics. The use of biodegradable plastics is preferable because they degrade quickly, may be absorbed by the soil, and can even be turned into compost. . Reuse old plastic bags or invest in some fabric shopping bags. 8. 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. Biodegradable plastics can also represent a significant energy savings. Even if a complete breakdown does not occur, we would achieve a reduction in the amount of space needed to dispose of the materials. Because there is no general oversight on the manufacturing cycle from crop growth to final distribution, there isnt reliable data available to suggest that biodegradables are useful beyond the ability to offer more profits to some companies or create compost fodder. Not only can biodegradable plastic be recycled, but it can be recycled more times than normal plastics. Plant based, biodegradable plastics are on the rise and for good reason. 1. Lesser Energy Consumption. Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we actually consume less energy to produce them. If we were to recycle our plastics each year, then our net carbon savings alone would be up to 30%, which some researchers suggesting the savings could be as high as 80%. They found a bacteria called Flavobacterium in pools containing waste water from a nylon mill that degraded nylon. Biodegradable plastics degrade in a much reasonable time frame and can be more renewable than plastics today. Clearly, we must consider better options for reducing the negative impact that the un-recycled plastic containers have on the environment. It will last for many years if stored indoors. We are producing more waste plastic today than ever. 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 9. At the moment, PHAs . What Are the Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic? It means that a bioplastic can contain 0 percent bio-based materials. Bioplastics are generally compostable, which means they will decay into natural materials that will eventually blend harmlessly into the soil. 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. 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. However, this entails a number of challenges. Biodegradable plastics not only take significantly less time to break down, but can also be recycled to manufacture more plastic by-products. This advantage can only occur if the items are disposed of properly, meaning that these items must be treated in a manner that is similar to compost. Lets check this out! 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). These materials are environmental-friendly and decompose quickly. Oil is a significant material in making plastics. Our planet is important. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. All these contribute positively to curbing global warming. 5. That number is equivalent to the annual emissions of 19 million vehicles. Advantages of Biodegradable Plastics. For instance, you have a plastic shopping bag, electronics, car parts, and furniture. It can be any combination of being partially bio-based, fully bio-based, non-bio-based, biodegradable, compostable or non-biodegradable, so long as . However, there are some notes you need to consider regarding its safety. We no longer need to go through the processes of finding, accessing, and transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology. Not just that, since the materials used to create . Your email address will not be published. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. Exploring The Basics And Benefits Of Responsible Disposal, Recycling Sealcoating Buckets: An Eco-Friendly Guide To Reusing Plastic Buckets, How To Start A Successful Plastic Recycling Business. Benefits of oxo-biodegradable plastic There is no difference in print quality, texture, or strength between regular and oxo-biodegradable plastic. For example, corn-based polymer consumes 65% less energy compared to the same polymer made by petroleum. This indicates that, in contrast to traditional plastics, they are intended to degrade into biological components. Biodegradable plastics require composting or recycling to ensure proper breakdown of the plastic pieces. 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. 2. That means shareholders, executives, and employees all stand to gain from the potential for higher profits. This is the only place where we can call our home and yet, we are slowly killing it. What is the aim of biodegradable plastic? The initial investment might be high, but it is worth it as it will also reduce the server effects on the environment. Biodegradable plastic is a plant-based plastic with no hazardous effects on the environment. Since the energy requirement is less, the pollution and environmental impact are significantly reduced. Biodegradable plastic is plastic that decays through biological processes. 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. Finally, we'll explore the potential risks and drawbacks of cactus-based biodegradable plastic. Even though these drawbacks may seem like a huge hurdle, it would be very beneficial to iron out these problems and move on to switch to using biodegradable plastics more regularly. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78b8bfc4cfb55a25 Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce something that can benefit the planet later on. Crops and soybeans can be used to produce the materials needed to make these plastics and can be a huge help in changing the way we use plastics today. 2. Organizations that adopt this product are often seen as being preferable because they are viewed as being concerned about the environment. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. It releases fewer harmful substances when breaking down. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. This outcome is achievable because the microorganisms in the environment are able to break down the structures which make the biodegradable plastic. Chemicals that are added to PET plastic for use in beverage bottles must pass stringent Food and Drug Administration criteria and be non-toxic to humans and wildlife. After all, using biodegradable plastic is an effective way to protect the environment. Biodegradable plastic bags have a number of advantages over conventional bags. It creates a result which is believed to be eco-friendly compared to the traditional plastics that we throw away every day. 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. 9. 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