Chloe Zhang
Biodegradable plastics are often touted as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, but their effectiveness in tackling plastic pollution is questionable. While biodegradable plastics can be broken down by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide, and compost, they require specific conditions to do so, such as temperatures above 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air, and microbes. This means that many biodegradable plastics won't break down in home compost heaps or if left in the ocean, and may even require industrial composting facilities. Additionally, some biodegradable plastics are not truly biodegradable but are designed to disintegrate into smaller fragments, which can still cause environmental harm. However, recent advancements in bioplastics made from spirulina show promise, as they are both biodegradable and recyclable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Biodegradable plastic is defined by its ability to break down completely into substances found in nature, and in a reasonable time frame. |
| Composition | Biodegradable plastics contain chemical additives that encourage microorganisms to feed on the plastic, using their enzymes to break the plastic’s molecular bonds. |
| Additives | Additives work by either attracting microbes to the plastic directly, or by speeding up the plastic’s natural weathering process, which gives a larger, more ragged surface area for the microbes to work on. |
| Byproducts | Once the microbes have done their work, all that’s left behind is water, carbon dioxide, and methane. |
| Conditions | Biodegradable plastics require temperatures of over 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air and microbes to break down. |
| Composting | Compostable plastic must be recovered in either home or commercial compost, depending on what that specific item is designed for. |
| Standards | There is no international standard for home-compostable plastics, but national standards have been created in Australia and France. |
| Eco-friendliness | Biodegradable plastic alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis. All plastic, including biodegradable types, must be collected and paired with the right recovery systems. |
| Limitations | Biodegradable plastics won't break down if left in the ocean or on domestic compost heaps. |
| New developments | Researchers at the University of Washington have developed new bioplastics that degrade on the same timescale as a banana peel in a backyard compost bin. |
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What You'll Learn
Biodegradable plastics are not always recyclable
Just because a product has the chasing arrows symbol or says it can be recycled doesn’t mean it can be—especially when it comes to plastics. There are few rules about what can and cannot be labelled as recyclable, and what label a product gets is largely left up to the plastics industry, leading to a lot of unclear and misleading claims that consumers cannot rely on. For example, products that are labelled "biodegradable" are not necessarily "compostable", so it is important to check the labels before sending products that are labelled as biodegradable to a commercial composting facility. Many commercial composters don't accept compostable plastic items even if they are certified as compostable.
Even if a product is labelled as "biodegradable", it may not actually be biodegradable in practice. For example, many biodegradable plastics need particular conditions in order to biodegrade, such as temperatures of over 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air and microbes. This means that these plastics won't break down if left in the ocean or on domestic compost heaps. In addition, some plastics labelled as biodegradable aren't truly biodegradable but are merely designed to disintegrate into fragments when exposed to air.
While biodegradable plastics may not always be recyclable, they can still play a helpful role in reducing waste in specific applications. For example, compostable take-out containers can compost the remaining food residue alongside the container itself. Biodegradable plastics are also often made from biobased sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants, instead of fossil fuels. This can result in a reduced use of fossil fuel resources, a smaller carbon footprint, and faster decomposition. However, it is important to note that bio-based plastics only represent about 1% of the plastics available on the market, and even these may contain up to 80% fossil fuel-based plastic.
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Compostable plastic requires specific conditions to break down
Compostable plastic is a type of biodegradable plastic. However, not all biodegradable plastics are compostable. Biodegradable plastic may be engineered to biodegrade in soil or water, whereas compostable plastic refers to biodegradation into soil-conditioning material (i.e. compost) under a specific set of conditions.
For a plastic to be labelled as commercially "compostable", it must be able to break down via biological treatment at a commercial or industrial composting facility. This process utilises microorganisms, heat, and humidity to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass. The decomposition of the plastic must occur within a similar timeframe as the other elements of the compost and must not leave any toxic residue that could negatively impact plant growth.
The specific conditions required for compostable plastic to break down include temperatures exceeding 50°C, and the appropriate balance of moisture, air, and microbes. These conditions are not typically found in a homeowner's compost bin, and as such, compostable plastics are generally intended to be sent to industrial composting facilities.
It is important to note that biodegradable and compostable plastics should be used judiciously and in conjunction with effective recovery systems. While they may offer certain advantages, such as reduced fossil fuel usage and faster decomposition, they are not a panacea for the plastic pollution crisis.
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Bioplastics are not always biodegradable
Bioplastics are often marketed as eco-friendly and a solution to plastic pollution. While they are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics, they are not always biodegradable. The term "bioplastics" refers to two separate types of plastic: bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics. Bio-based plastics are made from biological matter, while biodegradable plastics can be broken down by microorganisms within a reasonable timeframe, given specific conditions. However, it's important to note that not all bio-based plastics are biodegradable, and not all biodegradable plastics are bio-based.
Biodegradable plastics contain chemical additives that encourage microorganisms to feed on the plastic, using their enzymes to break down the plastic's molecular bonds. These additives work by either attracting microbes to the plastic or speeding up the natural weathering process, which provides a larger surface area for the microbes to work on. While biodegradable plastics can be broken down into water, carbon dioxide, and methane, they often require specific conditions to do so, such as temperatures above 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air, and microbes. This means that these plastics won't break down if left in the ocean or on domestic compost heaps.
Additionally, some bioplastics are made from biomass that cannot easily be broken down by microorganisms and are considered non-biodegradable. These are referred to as "durable" bioplastics. Furthermore, even when biodegradable bioplastics are properly discarded, they often end up in landfills due to a lack of separate recycling streams and the limited infrastructure for industrial composting facilities. Deprived of oxygen in landfills, biodegradable bioplastics may release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
The biodegradability of bioplastics is advantageous, but it is important to recognize that not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and those that are may still contribute to environmental issues if not managed properly. The confusion surrounding the terms bioplastics, bio-based, and biodegradable plastics makes it challenging for consumers to make environmentally responsible choices. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the specific characteristics and requirements of different types of bioplastics to ensure proper disposal and reduce their environmental impact.
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Biodegradable plastics need specific conditions to break down
Biodegradable plastics are often touted as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. However, it is important to understand that they are not a silver bullet solution to the plastic pollution crisis. Biodegradable plastics need specific conditions to break down effectively, and if mismanaged, they can contribute to the same environmental issues as their non-biodegradable counterparts.
Biodegradable plastics are designed to be broken down completely into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, methane, and biomass by microorganisms. These plastics contain chemical additives that encourage microorganisms to feed on the plastic, using their enzymes to break the plastic's molecular bonds. However, the effectiveness of this process depends on the specific conditions in which the plastic ends up.
Temperature plays a crucial role in the biodegradation process. Many biodegradable plastics require temperatures above 50°C to break down properly. This means that they won't simply degrade if left in the ocean or on a domestic compost heap, as these environments often don't meet the required temperature threshold. Additionally, the presence of specific microorganisms, moisture, air, and other environmental factors can influence the rate of biodegradation.
The design and use of biodegradable plastics are challenging because biodegradability is a "system property". This means that the success of biodegradation depends not only on the intrinsic properties of the plastic but also on the environmental conditions it encounters. For example, compostable plastics might require strict control of environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, nutrient concentration, and specific chemical ratios, which can only be achieved in industrial composting plants.
To ensure the proper breakdown of biodegradable plastics, it is essential to follow proper waste management practices. Some biodegradable plastics are designed for home composting, while others are meant for industrial composting facilities. Properly sorting and disposing of these materials is crucial to ensure they break down as intended.
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Biodegradable plastics are not always accessible
Biodegradable plastics are often touted as being eco-friendly, but they are not always accessible or a perfect solution to plastic pollution. Firstly, the term "biodegradable plastic" does not have a standardized definition and can include up to 80% fossil fuel-based plastic. While bioplastics are generally made from renewable resources, they still contain a host of chemicals, and a 2020 study found that most bioplastics contain toxic chemicals.
Secondly, bioplastics are not always accepted by composting facilities due to the contamination they cause, both in terms of chemical residue and the confusion around what is compostable, which leads to conventional plastic being tossed in with compostable bioplastics. For example, composters in Oregon ask residents not to put any plastic compostable foodware in their green bins, and many commercial composting facilities in California also do not accept bioplastics.
Thirdly, many biodegradable plastics need particular conditions to biodegrade, such as temperatures over 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air, and microbes. This means that these plastics won't break down if left in the ocean or on domestic compost heaps, and they won't fully decompose without being in an industrial composting facility.
Lastly, bioplastics only represent about 1% of the plastics available on the market, and while research is underway to increase the amount of bio-based material, most bio-based plastic is still partially composed of fossil-based plastic. For instance, the NaturALL bottle used by major beverage companies is 30% bio-based plastic and 70% fossil-based plastic.
In conclusion, while biodegradable plastics have the potential to reduce plastic pollution and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, they are not always accessible or accepted, and their production and disposal must be carefully considered to ensure they truly benefit the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Biodegradable plastics are often made from bio-based sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants instead of fossil fuels.
Biodegradable plastics can be broken down completely into water, carbon dioxide, methane, and compost by microorganisms under the right conditions. They also have a reduced use of fossil fuel resources, a smaller carbon footprint, and faster decomposition.
Biodegradable plastics are often designed to degrade in industrial composting systems, which are few and far between. If they are discarded into conventional waste streams, they can worsen the problem of plastic pollution.
Some biodegradable plastics are designed to be composted in a bin at home, but they need specific conditions to break down, including temperatures of over 50°C and the right combination of moisture, air, and microbes.
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