Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and so is plastic waste. Plastic manufacturing took off in the early 20th century, and plastic was initially praised for its flexibility, sturdiness, and lightweight nature. However, as time went on, the environmental and health risks associated with plastic became evident. The plastic crisis is a significant global issue, with plastic waste ending up in landfills, oceans, and the environment, leading to pollution and harm to ecosystems, habitats, and human health. The emergence of eco-friendly or biodegradable plastics has been touted as a potential solution, but is there such a thing as environmentally friendly plastic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Eco-friendly plastics are made from biological material instead of fossil fuels. |
| Types | Bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, recycled plastics |
| Examples | PLA, PBS, PETE or PET, ECM Biofilms, Novomer |
| Benefits | Reduced energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, less pollution, reduced use of non-renewable materials |
| Challenges | Proper disposal, lack of access to industrial composters, shortfalls in recycling infrastructure, confusion over standards and labelling |
| Impact | Positive environmental impact depends on reducing plastic use, reusing, recycling, and proper waste management. |
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What You'll Learn
Biodegradable plastics
There are two classes of biodegradable plastics: bioplastics, whose components are derived from renewable raw materials, and plastics made from petrochemicals with biodegradable additives that enhance biodegradation. Bioplastics like PLA and biodegradable petroleum-based plastics like PBS are meant to be 1:1 replacements for traditional plastics. However, they cannot be recycled through the same avenues as traditional plastics, and often end up in landfills or recycling bins.
To address this, universal standards have been implemented, new materials have been developed, and a compostable logo has been introduced to guide consumers. Additionally, separate recycling streams for bioplastics are being considered. Biodegradable plastics are viewed as more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics, as they reduce the consumption of additional petroleum products, emit fewer greenhouse gases when degrading in landfills, and reduce overall emissions.
While biodegradable plastics offer an ideal solution for single- or short-term use applications, they face challenges in terms of proper disposal and well-managed waste systems. Some biodegradable plastics are also fully petroleum-based, and a 2009 study found that their use is financially viable only in the context of specific regulations limiting the usage of conventional plastics.
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Bioplastics
However, the benefits of bioplastics can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear end-of-life management, and higher costs. Additionally, not all bioplastics are degradable, and the independence from fossil fuels as a raw material is not always the case.
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Recycled plastics
Recycling plastic is better for the environment than sending it to landfill or incinerating it. Recycling plastic requires less energy than producing new materials and relieves demand for fossil-fuel-based raw materials. It also saves landfill space and reduces environmental pollution. Recycling plastic can also help protect ocean and other water ecosystems.
Recycling plastic can be mechanical or chemical. Mechanical recycling involves melting and reforming plastic into other items. This can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level and requires sorting by colour and polymer type before processing, which can be complicated and expensive. Chemical recycling involves converting plastics into their liquid or gas building blocks, which are then converted back into solid-form plastics.
Recycling plastic is not without its challenges. Recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other recoverable materials, such as aluminium, glass and paper. As of 2015, only 9% of the world's plastic waste had been recycled, and only 1% had been recycled more than once. The plastic industry has also been criticised for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programmes, even when research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled.
However, recycling plastic can still be beneficial. Recycled plastics have a significantly lower carbon footprint than virgin plastics, and increasing the amount of recycled feedstocks can have a large impact on the global carbon budget of materials. Recycled plastics are used across many industries to produce a variety of products, from packaging to clothing and composite decking.
There are also biodegradable and bioplastic alternatives to traditional plastics, which are more environmentally friendly. Biodegradable plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum containing chemical additives that cause them to decompose more rapidly in the presence of light, oxygen, moisture and/or heat. Bioplastics, such as PLA, are made from renewable resources like corn and are being used more widely by producers.
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Compostable plastics
The demand for "green" products is increasing as consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are increasingly being offered as alternatives to traditional plastics. However, it is important to note that these terms are not synonymous.
While compostable plastics can play a role in reducing waste, they are not a panacea for the plastic pollution crisis. Proper waste management is crucial, as compostable plastics must be recovered through home or commercial compost systems to break down as intended. If not managed properly, compostable plastics can end up in landfills, where they may not have the necessary conditions to degrade. Additionally, contamination is an issue, as the acceptance of compostable foodware by composting facilities is decreasing due to the presence of non-biodegradable items and chemical contaminants.
Furthermore, the production and disposal of compostable plastics can have environmental impacts. For instance, compostable plastics may have a larger carbon footprint than single-use plastics due to the energy and resources required for their production and processing. The recycling of compostable plastics is also challenging, as they cannot be recycled through the same avenues as traditional plastics, and specialised infrastructure is still developing.
In summary, while compostable plastics can be a step towards reducing plastic waste, they must be used and managed appropriately to minimise their environmental impact. Standardisation and regulation, along with consumer education, are crucial to ensuring the proper use and disposal of compostable plastics and preventing further environmental harm.
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Eco-friendly plastic market
The biodegradable or "eco-friendly" plastic market hit $3.27 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow by 9.4% year-on-year, effectively doubling to $6.54 billion by 2027. This growth could be accelerated by legislation and government mandates that restrict the production and usage of virgin plastics, as well as consumer attitudes toward more sustainable alternatives. The market for eco-friendly plastics is growing due to increasing consumer preference for sustainable materials, advancements in materials science, and legislation protecting the environment.
Eco-friendly plastics refer to a group of engineered polymers designed to break down or be recycled in a circular fashion. They can be categorised into three groups: bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, and recycled plastics. Bioplastics are derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, and recycled food waste. They are biodegradable under specific conditions, such as composting, and are used in packaging and consumer products. Biodegradable plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum with chemical additives that cause them to decompose more rapidly in the presence of light, oxygen, moisture, and/or heat. Recycled plastics are created using varying percentages of post-consumer petroleum-based plastics and are used in injection-molded packaging and across various industries.
Some companies in the eco-friendly plastic market include Polymateria Ltd, an advanced bioplastics manufacturer based in the UK, and TIPA Corp Ltd, an Israeli company that develops biodegradable plastic packaging. NatureWorks LLC is another notable company in this market, manufacturing bioplastics derived entirely from plant resources such as corn starch. The Futamura Group is a global leader based in Japan that produces plastic films, cellulose films, fibrous casing, activated carbon, and phenolic laminated sheets with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices.
While the market for eco-friendly plastics is growing, there are challenges with the recycling process for these materials. Most eco-friendly plastics cannot be recycled through the same avenues as traditional plastics, and consumers need to be educated on the proper disposal methods. Bioplastics like PLA and biodegradable plastics like PBS are meant to be 1:1 replacements for traditional plastics, but their similar appearance has led to contamination issues in recycling streams. Additionally, access to commercial or industrial composters is limited, resulting in bioplastics ending up in landfills or recycling bins.
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Frequently asked questions
Eco-friendly plastics, or bioplastics, are made from biological material instead of fossil fuels. They are designed to degrade under normal landfill conditions. Examples include PLA, which is derived from corn, and biodegradable petroleum-based plastics like PBS.
Eco-friendly plastics offer environmental benefits, but they are not a solution to the plastic pollution crisis. Biodegradable plastics often take a long time to break down in the natural world and can have the same consequences as non-biodegradable plastics if they are not managed properly. Compostable plastics are designed to be processed in home or industrial composting facilities, but many commercial composters do not accept them.
You can reduce the risks that plastics pose to the environment by reducing your plastic use, choosing plastic products carefully, and reusing plastic items. When possible, opt for widely recyclable plastics like PETE or HDPE, and avoid plastics like PVC, which can leach toxins into food and are not widely recyclable.
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