Unlocking The Carbon Capture Potential Of Plastics

Plastics are mainly made of carbon, with about 80% carbon by weight. While petroleum-derived plastics don't release CO2 in the same way that burning fossil fuels does, they also don't help sequester any of the excess of this gaseous pollutant. Bio-polymers, on the other hand, are derived from plants, which use photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight to sugars. When these sugar molecules are converted into bio-polymers, the carbon is effectively locked away from the atmosphere – as long as they’re not biodegraded or incinerated.

Bio-based polymers could sequester 2.8% of global emissions

Plastics are mainly made of carbon, with about 80% carbon by weight. Petroleum-derived plastics don't release CO2 in the same way as burning fossil fuels, but they also don't help sequester any of the excess of this gaseous pollutant. Bio-based polymers, on the other hand, are derived from plants, which use photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight to sugars. When these sugar molecules are converted into bio-polymers, the carbon is effectively locked away from the atmosphere, as long as they are not biodegraded or incinerated.

If the current world annual supply of around 300 million tons of polymers were all non-biodegradable and bio-based, this would equate to a gigaton (a billion tons) of sequestered CO2, about 2.8% of current global emissions. This would make a key contribution to the CO2 removal required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

However, it is important to note that microplastics in the oceans may interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. The Earth's oceans have absorbed 20-40% of all anthropogenic carbon emitted since the industrial era. Additionally, encouraging the consumption of single-use plastics derived from plant sources can help pull more carbon out of the atmosphere.

Bio-polymers are derived from plants, which use photosynthesis to convert CO2

Plastics are mainly made of carbon – about 80% by weight. Petroleum-derived plastics don’t release CO2 in the same way that burning fossil fuels does, but they also don’t help sequester any of the excess of this gaseous pollutant. The carbon from liquid oil is simply converted into solid plastics.

However, if the current world annual supply of around 300 million tons of polymers were all non-biodegradable and bio-based, this would equate to a gigaton – a billion tons – of sequestered CO2, about 2.8% of current global emissions. In a recent report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlined capturing, storing and reusing carbon as a key strategy for mitigating climate change; bio-based polymers could make a key contribution, up to 20% of the CO2 removal required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Microplastics in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean’s capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. Earth’s oceans have absorbed 20–40% of all anthropogenic carbon emitted since the dawn of the industrial era.

Petroleum-derived plastics don't sequester carbon

On the other hand, bio-polymers are derived from plants, which use photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight to sugars. When these sugar molecules are converted into bio-polymers, the carbon is effectively locked away from the atmosphere – as long as they’re not biodegraded or incinerated.

If the current world annual supply of around 300 million tons of polymers were all non-biodegradable and bio-based, this would equate to a gigaton (a billion tons) of sequestered CO2, about 2.8% of current global emissions. This would be a significant contribution to the CO2 removal required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, it's important to note that microplastics in the oceans may interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. The Earth's oceans have absorbed 20-40% of all anthropogenic carbon emitted since the industrial era.

Microplastics in the ocean may interfere with the ocean's ability to sequester carbon

Plastics are mainly made of carbon – about 80% by weight. While petroleum-derived plastics don’t release CO2 in the same way that burning fossil fuels does, they also don’t help sequester any of the excess of this gaseous pollutant – the carbon from liquid oil is simply converted into solid plastics. Bio-polymers, on the other hand, are derived from plants, which use photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight to sugars. When these sugar molecules are converted into bio-polymers, the carbon is effectively locked away from the atmosphere – as long as they’re not biodegraded or incinerated.

If the current world annual supply of around 300 million tons of polymers were all non-biodegradable and bio-based, this would equate to a gigaton – a billion tons – of sequestered CO2, about 2.8% of current global emissions. This would be a significant contribution to the CO2 removal required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, microplastics in the ocean may interfere with the ocean's ability to sequester carbon. Earth’s oceans have absorbed 20–40% of all anthropogenic carbon emitted since the dawn of the industrial era. If microplastics are reducing the ocean's ability to sequester carbon, this could have a significant impact on global carbon levels.

While bio-based polymers could be a key strategy for mitigating climate change, it is important to consider the potential impact of microplastics in the ocean. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between microplastics and the ocean's carbon sequestration processes.

Encouraging consumption of single-use plastics derived from plants could be economically self-sustaining

Plastics are mainly made of carbon – about 80% by weight. Bio-polymers, which are derived from plants, use photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight into sugars. When these sugar molecules are converted into bio-polymers, the carbon is effectively locked away from the atmosphere, as long as they are not biodegraded or incinerated.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has outlined capturing, storing and reusing carbon as a key strategy for mitigating climate change. Bio-based polymers could make a key contribution, up to 20% of the CO2 removal required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

If the current world annual supply of around 300 million tons of polymers were all non-biodegradable and bio-based, this would equate to a gigaton – a billion tons – of sequestered CO2, about 2.8% of current global emissions.

However, it is important to note that microplastics in the oceans may interfere with the ocean’s capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. The Earth’s oceans have absorbed 20–40% of all anthropogenic carbon emitted since the dawn of the industrial era.

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