Biodegradable plastics have two classes. These are bioplastics which are made from renewable raw materials and plastics that come from petrochemicals that have biodegradable additives. Created to minimize pollution from plastic pollutants, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of time. However, there are upsides and downsides to the use of these materials.
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1. Carbon Emission Reduction
One of the advantages related to the use of biodegradable plastics is the minimal emission of carbon in the air during the process of manufacturing bioplastics. As opposed to the normal manufacturing of plastics that create four tons of emissions, bioplastics only emit approximately .8 tons of carbon that add to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
2. Consumes Less Energy
The manufacturing process of biodegradable plastics requires less amount of energy and does not need fossil fuels to be recycled. Conversely, traditional plastics demand more energy in production and at the same time requires the burning of fossil fuel. Since less energy is needed, more bioplastics can be produced while there is less pollution in the environment.
3. Less Landfill Area Needed
Plastics that are non-biodegradable are brought to landfills to discard them. Consequently, land area that could have been used for agriculture, residence or industrial applications is instead converted to landfills. If bioplastics are used, there is no need to add more landfills since these plastics can be absorbed by the soil and be converted to compost or humus.
4. Recyclable
Apart from taking less time to break down when discarded, biodegradable plastics can also be recycled and are non-toxic since they contain no chemicals or toxins compared to other types of plastics that can emit harmful chemicals, especially if burned.
1. Need for Composters
The flipside of using biodegradable plastics is that there will be a need for industrial composters to turn them into composts and availability of the equipment in some countries can be a problem. Apart from the cost, not all countries have the proper equipment especially if this is not the priority of the government. In the end, the bioplastics that need to be processed will not be discarded properly.
2. Engineering Issues
These bioplastics are plant-based and this means that they come from organic sources from farms such as soybeans and corn. However, these organic plants are sprayed with pesticides which contain chemicals that can contaminate the crops and be transferred or included in the finished product.
3. Risk of Contamination
Biodegradable plastics should not be mixed with non-biodegradable plastics when thrown in garbage bins. The problem here is that not all people know how to segregate or distinguish bioplastics from other plastic types. Once these two types of plastics are mixed together, these bioplastics become contaminated and cannot be used anymore. Consequently, these contaminated bioplastics will end in landfills and add to the volume of thrash.
Biodegradable plastics are becoming popular these days because of the increasing awareness on global warming and environmental issues. Despite having disadvantages, it will help to focus on the benefits of using bioplastics and on educating the people on its importance and effects on a global scale.
7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biodegradable Plastics via: https://connectusfund.org/7-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-biodegradable-plastics
&#;Biodegradable&#; roughly translates to &#;somewhat better for the environment&#; in the packaging world. With a whole host of biodegradable packaging options available for food and drinks products, bioplastics offer an eco-friendly alternative to standard plastic packaging for food and drinks.
So what are bioplastics, and are bioplastics better for the environment than other similar packaging materials?
Bioplastics are made from materials derived from biological substances rather than petroleum. They&#;re created using the sugar present in plants, typically sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, or potatoes. Bioplastics are inherently renewable, unlike conventional plastics since they&#;re made from entirely natural, organic, plant-based materials.
The process of creating bioplastics is a world apart from conventional plastics, but they still share similar properties and characteristics to oil-based plastics, only without the environmental drawbacks. This makes bioplastics an excellent option for eco-conscious businesses and a no-brainer for green-minded consumers.
While the terms are used seemingly interchangeably, bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are not the same.
Bioplastics are made from plant-based materials like polylactic acid (PLA) that break down naturally under specific conditions. Biodegradable plastics are made with petroleum-based materials that aren&#;t inherently biodegradable.
Additives like starch are incorporated to enhance biodegradation, making oil-based plastics slightly better for the planet. You can expect very similar performance from both kinds of plastics, but which has more environmental benefits?
Bioplastics are easily the more environmentally-friendly option since biodegradable plastics are petroleum-based &#; just like conventional plastics. Bioplastics don&#;t contain any harmful substances from hazardous chemicals like phthalates, nor do they break down into microplastics that are incredibly bad for the earth, particularly marine life.
Biodegradable plastics can&#;t be recycled the same way as bioplastics, either.
For more information, please visit biodegradable plastic film manufacturer.
Performance should always be a priority when selecting packaging. So how do bioplastics stack up against other packaging materials?
Bioplastics are crafted from plant-based substances. The plant-based oils found in most bioplastics enhance their performance, making them less brittle and more flexible. Other plastics are prone to cracking or splitting, but bioplastic cups are up to the task of carrying liquids.
For example, a typical pint cup is expected to be transparent, slightly flexible and durable. If it&#;s made using Ingeo&#; PLA Bioplastic &#; our bioplastic of choice &#; you can expect similar or better performance from your super-sustainable packaging.
That&#;s not all. When used in hot drinks packaging, bioplastic linings provide a moisture-resistant barrier that reduces the likelihood of leaks and spills without the need for non-biodegradable plastic. This dramatically improves waste management and recyclability as a result.
Bioplastics share similar properties to conventional plastics, but several compelling reasons make them the most favourable packaging option for forward-thinking businesses:
Bioplastics produce significantly fewer greenhouse gases than conventional plastics over their lifespan. From manufacturing to disposal, fewer emissions are generated than other forms of plastic; less energy is required to produce bioplastics, and less carbon is produced when bioplastic waste is processed, especially when compared to generic mixed plastic waste. As a carbon-neutral packaging supplier,
Bioplastics will biodegrade naturally over time under the right conditions, unlike other plastics. Bioplastics will naturally decompose in three to six months, but the average plastic takeaway container may take around 450 years to disintegrate. Even when it does, conventional plastics release toxins back into the environment, further damaging the planet.
Bioplastics can be recycled before they start to degrade. This helps consumers dispose of their waste responsibly and extends the lifespan of the bioplastic packaging materials further, allowing them to be repurposed before they perish.
We typically imagine plastics to be infinitely durable and long-lasting, but you can only recycle plastics two or three times. This is problematic, as most non-biodegradable plastics start to perish after being recycled just once, meaning the vast amount of energy and resources required to manufacture the materials in the first place is somewhat wasted.
When plastics become unsuitable for repurposing, you must discard them. Most non-biodegradable plastics spend the rest of their life clogging up landfills or polluting the oceans. Bioplastic packaging will degrade much more safely and quickly than its synthetic counterparts, making it a much more planet-friendly option.
Bioplastics are compostable at commercial facilities, meaning less recycling or general waste to manage. All that&#;s left behind after using a bioplastic cup or a PLA-lined takeaway container are its natural components since bioplastic packaging is derived from natural substances. This also means that these items have no chemicals or toxins left behind, reducing waste pollution and atmospheric pollution.
Biodegradable products are made using naturally occurring substances. As a result, they don&#;t contain harmful chemicals or pose any risks to intended users. Non-recyclable plastics &#; such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic used to create water bottles &#; bioplastics don&#;t attract harmful bacteria or leach chemicals back into the environment, making them practical, eco-friendly options as food and drink packaging.
There&#;s only so much crude oil left on earth. Based on current consumption levels, we can expect around 47 more years of oil before it&#;s all gone. After that, the world will have no other option but to switch to sustainable alternatives.
Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) account for 18% of the total oil consumption in the world. HGLs are used for the production of plastics, among other things. By switching to bioplastics, we could curb oil consumption and preserve the planet&#;s finite, non-renewable resources.
Around three-quarters of consumers would pay more for sustainable products, making bioplastics an excellent option for eco-conscious businesses. In addition, two-thirds of consumers say they would be less likely to purchase products if they knew the packaging was harmful to the environment, which makes conventional plastic packaging a lot less appealing.
The shift towards sustainable packaging has been primarily consumer-driven, but multinational corporations in the food and drink sector have taken notice. The market for bioplastics is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years as renowned brands start to switch from conventional plastics to forward-thinking alternatives.
Bioplastics are an innovative solution to the world&#;s problems with conventional plastics. They&#;re almost indistinguishable from petroleum-based plastics, but they come with an array of environmental benefits. Bioplastic packaging preserves the planet&#;s natural resources and gives people more options to dispose of packaging responsibly, making them a much more eco-friendly packaging solution.
Head to our online shop and discover eco-friendly bioplastic packaging for food and drinks items. Need a branded packaging solution? Get in touch for a free design quote.
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