Omar Khalid
Plastic is a material that is typically derived from fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, and has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. However, the production and disposal of plastic contribute to climate change, habitat degradation, and the pollution of our oceans. As a result, there is a growing interest in plant-based plastics as a more sustainable alternative. Plant-based plastics are derived from renewable sources such as corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, and bamboo fiber. They can be created using agricultural waste, reducing our dependence on petroleum. While some plant-based plastics are biodegradable, not all are, and they may require specific conditions to break down. The term bioplastic refers to plastics with feedstock fully or partially sourced from biomass or biodegradable plastics. The benefits of plant-based plastics are not without caveats, as large-scale agriculture and the use of herbicides and pesticides can have environmental repercussions. Additionally, the recyclability of plant-based plastics is limited by the availability of industrial composting facilities. Nevertheless, plant-based plastics offer a promising alternative to traditional plastics, and organizations like the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance are working to advance knowledge and responsible sourcing in this field.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plastics derived from plant material |
| Other names | Bioplastic, bio-based plastic, biopolymers |
| Sources | Corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree-pulp, bamboo fiber, algae, used cooking oil, etc. |
| Benefits | Renewable, eco-friendly, biodegradable, compostable, reduces dependence on petroleum |
| Drawbacks | May require specific conditions to biodegrade, may not be as 'green' as perceived, may contaminate other plastics during recycling, may use a lot of finite resources |
| Use cases | Packaging, cutlery, food service containers, bottles |
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What You'll Learn
What are plant-based plastics made from?
Plant-based plastics are made from plant-derived molecules, as opposed to the petroleum-derived molecules that comprise conventional plastics. They are derived from plant material like corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree pulp, bamboo fibre, and more. They can also be created using agricultural waste or scraps.
Plant-based plastics are also known as bioplastics or bio-based plastics. They are produced from natural origins, such as plants, animals, or microorganisms. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a class of biodegradable plastic naturally produced by various microorganisms, such as Cuprividus necator. Specific types of PHAs include poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH). The biosynthesis of PHA is usually driven by depriving organisms of certain nutrients (e.g. lack of macro elements such as phosphorus, nitrogen, or oxygen) and supplying an excess of carbon sources.
Bioplastics can also be made from fossil and plant-based sources. For example, a leading Dutch sustainable chemistry company, Avantium, has developed a 100% plant-based bottle made of PEF (polyethylene furanoate), which is produced from sugars.
Plant-based plastics are made from renewable materials, whereas petroleum-based plastics are made from a finite source of crude oil using energy-intensive processes to extract. Plant-based plastics are therefore better for the environment and help slow climate change. However, they do not guarantee a solution for plastic pollution or a safe end-of-life for packaging. Additionally, because they are made from plants, they come with the environmental problems that large-scale agriculture causes.
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How do they differ from conventional plastics?
Plant-based plastics, also known as bioplastics or bio-based plastics, are made from plant-derived molecules such as corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree pulp, bamboo fibre, sugar beets, potato starch, wheat, potatoes, algae, and used cooking oil. They are made using the same processes as traditional plastics, and they may contain chemical additives—the potential toxicity of which is not yet fully understood.
Conventional plastics are derived from fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, and take a long time to degrade, leading to environmental pollution and harm to wildlife. On the other hand, bioplastics are made from renewable resources and are biodegradable. However, it is important to note that not all bioplastics are compostable, and some may require industrial composting facilities for disposal.
In terms of their end-of-life, plant-based and petroleum-based plastics are similar—some will biodegrade in compost, while others will not. However, a key difference is that plant-based plastics are made from renewable materials, while petroleum-based plastics are made from finite sources of crude oil using energy-intensive extraction processes.
Bioplastics have the potential to be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. They can help reduce our dependence on petroleum, which currently requires about 8% of the world's oil resources. However, the effects of bioplastics on marine life are not yet fully understood, and some studies have found that they can leach toxic chemicals similar to those found in petroleum-based plastics.
Overall, while plant-based plastics offer a promising solution to the environmental issues caused by conventional plastics, it is important to thoughtfully design and responsibly source them to ensure they build environmental, social, and economic resilience across ecosystems and communities.
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Are they biodegradable?
Plant-based plastics are derived from plant materials such as corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree pulp, bamboo fibre, and even agricultural waste or scraps. They offer an alternative to fossil-based plastics, with many of the same capabilities, but with a reduced environmental impact and a positive effect on climate change.
However, not all plant-based plastics are biodegradable. Biodegradability depends on the chemical properties of the plastic, not the source. For a plastic to biodegrade, it must be able to disintegrate into smaller pieces and be ingested by microorganisms. While this is true of many plant-based plastics, it is not true of all. Some plant-based plastics will not biodegrade, and others will only do so under very specific conditions.
To ensure that a plastic product will not create harmful plastic waste, it is important to look for certified compostable plastics. These are tested to safely biodegrade under compost conditions. However, it is important to note that some compostable plastics can only degrade under highly controlled environmental factors, such as higher temperatures, pressure, and specific chemical ratios, which can only be recreated in industrial composting plants. Therefore, while plant-based plastics can be biodegradable, it is not always the case, and the impact of these plastics on the environment depends on production methods, disposal options, and end-of-life scenarios.
Furthermore, it is important to be aware of greenwashing, where products are marketed as eco-friendly or biodegradable when they are not. For example, some "bio-derived" plastics are made from a combination of fossil fuels and plant sources, but marketers emphasise the plant-based aspect. Additionally, some biodegradable plastics are not certified to degrade in cold marine environments and can instead fragment into microplastics that can be harmful to marine life.
Overall, while plant-based plastics can be biodegradable, it is important to understand the specific properties and disposal requirements of a product to ensure it will not contribute to plastic pollution.
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What are the environmental benefits?
Plant-based plastics are derived from plant materials like corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree pulp, bamboo fiber, and more. They are also created using agricultural waste or scraps. Plant-based plastics are made from renewable materials, while petroleum-based plastics are made from finite sources of crude oil using energy-intensive extraction processes.
The environmental benefits of plant-based plastics are:
- They reduce our dependence on petroleum, which currently requires about 8% of the world’s oil resources.
- They are made from renewable resources, which can be grown all over the world, unlike oil, which is concentrated in specific regions. This supports a rural, agrarian economy.
- They offer an alternative to fossil-based plastics, with many of the same capabilities, helping to slow climate change.
However, it is important to note that plant-based plastics are not a perfect solution to the environmental problems caused by conventional plastics. The environmental benefits of plant-based plastics are dependent on a variety of factors, including production methods, disposal options, and end-of-life scenarios.
For example, while some plant-based plastics are biodegradable, not all are, and those that are may require specific conditions to biodegrade. If they end up in marine environments, they can break down into micro-sized pieces, lasting for decades, and presenting a danger to marine life. Additionally, the sugars used to make bioplastic often come from transgenic crops sprayed with herbicides and pesticides, and these crops take land out of food production that is needed to feed a growing global population.
Overall, while plant-based plastics offer some environmental benefits, they must be thoughtfully designed and responsibly sourced to build environmental, social, and economic resilience across ecosystems and communities.
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What are the drawbacks?
Plant-based plastics, also known as bioplastics, are not without their drawbacks. While they are marketed as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, there are several issues with their production and disposal that call their eco-friendliness into question.
Firstly, bioplastics may contain toxic chemicals. Studies have shown that bioplastics can contain thousands of chemical features, with the maximum being 20,000 features in one sample. These chemicals are added to make the bioplastics behave like conventional plastics, but their potential toxicity is not yet fully understood. In fact, some bioplastics have been found to contain toxicity levels similar to those of petroleum-based plastics.
Secondly, bioplastics are often single-use and there are limited options for composting them. Even if a bioplastic is labelled as compostable, it may require an industrial composting facility to process it, and many towns and cities do not have access to these facilities. As a result, bioplastics can end up in the environment, where they can take many years to break down and can harm marine life.
Thirdly, the production of bioplastics requires significant resources, including fossil fuels, farmland, and water. This means that resources that could be used to grow food are being diverted, and that the environmental problems associated with large-scale agriculture come into play. Additionally, plant-based plastics require more energy and generate more emissions per kg manufactured than conventional plastics, which further adds to their carbon footprint.
Finally, there is a lack of regulation around the labelling of bioplastics. Terms like "plant-based", "bio-based", and "compostable" are often used vaguely and ambiguously in marketing materials, leading to consumer confusion. In reality, bioplastics may only make up a small fraction of a product, with the rest being made from traditional oil-based plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Plant-based plastic is a type of plastic made from plant-derived molecules, such as corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree pulp, bamboo fibre, and more. It is a more sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, which contribute to climate change and degrade habitats.
Bioplastic, also known as bio-based plastic, is a type of plastic that is fully or partially sourced from biomass or biodegradable plastics. It can be made from plant-based sources, such as algae, sugarcane, or used cooking oil. Bioplastics are not a perfect solution to plastic pollution, as they can still take many years to break down and can have negative environmental impacts due to large-scale agriculture.
Not all plant-based plastics are biodegradable. Biodegradability depends on the chemical properties of the plastic rather than its source. Some plant-based plastics require specific conditions, such as the heat of an industrial composting facility, to fully decompose. It is important to check the disposal instructions on plant-based plastics to ensure proper biodegradation.
Plant-based plastics offer several benefits. They are made from renewable materials, reducing our dependence on petroleum, which currently requires about 8% of the world's oil resources. They also provide an opportunity to decouple plastic production from the impacts of fossil fuels, helping to slow climate change. Additionally, some plant-based plastics are certified compostable, meaning they can safely biodegrade under specific conditions.
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