One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction in carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. As the demand for biodegradable plastics increases, they will contribute to save our planet. Plastics make our lives easier in many ways, but they can also contain potentially dangerous products that could harm our health at the same time. 3. New, biodegradable plastics and better recycling strategies are two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic waste. That means many of the advantages that are possible with this product disappear in equatorial and far-northern climates. So what are the pros and cons of biodegradable plastic or bioplastics? Since many of the reports cited in research involves industry-produced data, we must have access to more independent studies to understand if the advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics are moving in the right direction. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. When it comes to a better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the conventional one. 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. In fact, they still mix between the renewable and non-renewable resources. Waste Reduction. Fig. 2. Reduces Carbon Emission. 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. All these contribute positively to curbing global warming. Also, the environment matters. In the past, this substance was used in plastic tableware, water bottles, and sports equipment. They must totally and quickly decompose biologically or be compostable if they are made from plant biomass such as maize starch, sugar cane, or wheat. When you toss traditional plastic into the trash, it has a. Using a material flow analysis, the challenges of the plastic market are highlighted, and with it the . We must address the causes of why we pollute in the first place to ensure our biomes remain healthy for future generations. We are producing more waste plastic today than ever. It is typically derived from natural byproducts and is manufactured under strict temperature and humidity controls. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 That would create fewer pressures on the overall waste stream. The recycled materials are compatible with standard plastic manufacturing equipment, thus making a way for rapid market adoption. 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. Bioplastics degrade under well regulated conditions of temperature and humidity in industrial settings. The traditional plastics are thrown on the scrapheap at landfills. The most relevant applications of biodegradable plastics are packaging, including food packaging, single-use plastics, and agricultural mulch films. What Is Recyclable Plastic And How Can It Be Recycled? In the US, only about 20% of plastic beverage containers are recycled. Yes, it is! 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. If we can replace the normal plastic with bioplastic, then we can minimize the negative impact of plastic pollution. But like anything else, there are various advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastics. The growth rate in local sales was 13% from the year before, with the entire value of this segment worth over $350 million. The other option makes the other plastic items that we consume. 4. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. E. Recycling challenges. 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. When they begin to break down in the environment, bacteria in the soil begin to consume the components. The creation of bioplastics was prompted by the 1970s rising oil prices and reliance on oil. 5. The use of biodegradable plastics is preferable because they degrade quickly, may be absorbed by the soil, and can even be turned into compost. Biodegradable plastics are frequently made from petrochemicals, microorganisms, renewable raw materials, or mixtures of all three. The goal should be to reduce overall plastic consumption. Various Advantages of Using Biodegradable Plastics 1. Waste, like trash from products, can end up in our environment and can harm us, especially our health. Something that is on many peoples minds is what we can do to help with one of the major types of waste and pollutant plastic, which is used for almost everything. Such pesticides can find their way into the final product of the plastic and harm the consumers. Researchers at the University of Bath have created a plastic that only uses sugar and carbon dioxide, resulting in polycarbonates that no longer need to use petrochemicals and their CO2 emissions necessary for refinement. Also, biodegradable plastic manufacturing uses less energy compared to regular plastic production. 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 When you use biodegradable plastics instead of items made through the traditional refinement process, then fewer greenhouse gas emissions escape into the atmosphere. That means shareholders, executives, and employees all stand to gain from the potential for higher profits. Many of the advantages of bioplastics rely on a net savings being created by a reducing of energy, water, or greenhouse gas emissions. 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. 7. With the increased use and manufacturing of bioplastics, we can expect a greener and a more sustainable future for our planet. Look out for the 100% biodegradable icon on our product pages and labelling on our sachets to be sure that you are choosing the right option for you. The requirement to properly dispose of biodegradable plastic products automatically reduces the amount of waste. 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.. What are the benefits of biodegradable plastic? Some bioplastics will inevitably end up in landfills where, deprived of oxygen, they may release methane. The design of the circular economy mimics the living environment itself and is restorative and regenerative. You can use less energy to create a large amount of plastic within a short duration. Casein polymers, PBS and PHA add up to the 2% of other biodegradable plastics in their worldwide demand (Fig. 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. For instance, these plastics cannot decompose in the ocean and other marine habitats. The wide use of plastic has come with the consequence of the poor disposal of it. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction . There are some who are trying new ways to do things in hopes of slowing down the effects. This makes them conserve non-renewable sources of energy such as petroleum. We would need more factors to help contribute to the effort of dealing with waste. Alison Broadfoot, IT communications at SDG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric, Loic VILLOCEL, Director, ENGIE Lab Singapore [Euronext: ENGI], Robert Sheninger, Vp Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, Talos Energy, Darian Mcbain, Executive Advisor, Corporate Affairs And Sustainability, Thai Union Group Pcl, Jim Seward, Svp, R&D, Technology And Sustainability, Lyondellbasell, Warren Boutin, Director, Electric Service Support, Distributed Generation, & Supplier Services, Eversource Energy, Sean Halloran, Vice President of Wellsite Technology at Ensign Energy Services, Catherine Schladweiler, P.E.Principal, Environmental Policy and Sustainability,Tucson Electric Power Company, Andrew Condell, Head of Production Australia, Marley Spoon, Ferdinand Bartels, Department Head & Project Manager, Preussenelektra, Adriana Karaboutis, CIO & CDO, National Grid, Franck A. Vendeix, Phd, Associate Director, Analytical Services, Scientific Expert Consultant For The Analytical Services Group, Amri, Claire Lawrence, Chief People Officer, Mediacom, Knox T. Millsaps, Ses Director, Division Of Aerospace Sciences, Office Of Naval Research, Thank you for Subscribing to Environmental Business Review Weekly Brief. That is in addition to the 68% reduction in greenhouse gases that occur during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, since the materials used to create biodegradable plastics are plant-based, minimal carbon is emitted during the composting process. Biodegradable plastics have a clear benefit, they reduce waste and leave less of an impact on the environment than normal plastics. 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. 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. Producing and recycling biodegradable can be expensive. Greenhouse gases, emissions from vehicles, unsustainable buildings, and cities are some of the areas where we could see more being done to help with producing a better world. That means we can mix the traditional manufacturing cycle with the natural one, reducing the percentage that comes from fossil fuels. Of the biodegradable plastics, an average of 200 ktpa are produced per type. 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. Weight-saving advantages of plastics over metal have greatly improved fuel efficiency of automobiles, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil and reduction of carbon dioxide. Plastics are but one small facet of the problem. Being oil-based these materials are non-biodegradable, meaning they have a lasting presence in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the link below: https://www.environmentalbusinessreview.com/news/environmental-benefits-of-biodegradable-plastics-nwid-86.html, We use cookies on this website to enhance your user experience. The typical farmer produces 168 bushels per acre. Recently a company in Mexico worked out how to turn the biodegradable material into plastic. Why Is There A Growing Need For Ethical Buying Of Eco-products? 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. Advantages of Biodegradable Plastics. Biodegradable plastics do not guarantee a net savings. When you use biodegradable plastics instead of. Products that are biodegradable degrade substantially more quickly than recyclable products. Biodegradable plastics consume less fossil fuels, produce less carbon dioxide, and degrade less harmfully. When we create this mixture, the plastic products often have more strength as well. One of the greatest issues with bioplastic is that it helps people feel better about themselves as they continue to abuse disposable materials. Using a printing machine, company name, logo, etc are printed . Biodegradable plastics must follow a specific disposal procedure. They claim they have developed additives that, when blended into plastic, will accelerate the environmental degradation. So, biodegradable plastics are a good idea for conserving the environment and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 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. The difference between bioplastic and biodegradable plastics is the material used to make them. The Growing Problem Of Plastic Waste And How To Recycle Plastic Bags, Are Clear Plastic Food Containers Recyclable? Some types of biodegradable produce high methane levels during the decomposition process. Biodegradable plastics can reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. Many plastics used today take an extremely long time to degrade. Advantages of Using Biodegradable Plastics 1. It will also help with cleaning the environment and help reduce the impact we have on the environment as a whole. It will last for many years if stored indoors. We might be using natural products to create biodegradable plastics, but that doesnt mean we are eliminating our exposure to chemicals through this manufacturing process. Despite the fact that biodegradable plastics are more expensive to produce than traditional plastics, the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh their higher costs. So, the non-renewable material still can harm the environment. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally-occurring bacteria. 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. This amount is 68% less than that of traditional plastics.
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biodegradable plastic benefits