Omar Khalid
Biodegradable plastics are plastics made from biodegradable polymers and blends, which microbes can break down. They are often made from bio-based sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants instead of fossil fuels. While they are advertised as a solution to the plastic pollution problem, they are not a cure-all. Biodegradable plastics can be recycled mechanically, chemically, and through composting. However, they can only degrade in industrial composting plants under specific conditions, and they can contaminate the recycling stream if not properly separated from traditional plastic waste. Proper disposal of biodegradable plastics is critical to reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biodegradable plastic composition | Made from biodegradable polymers and blends, with properties appropriate for use in packaging. |
| Biodegradable plastic breakdown | Biodegradable polymers largely break down into carbon dioxide and methane. |
| Proper disposal of biodegradable plastic | Industrial composting, anaerobic (oxygen-free) digestion, and home composting. |
| Composting impact | Composting reduces methane emissions and returns organic carbon to the soil. |
| Biodegradation requirements | Oxygen, the right microbes, heat, time, humidity, and the presence of bacteria and fungi. |
| Industrial composting | Requires specific conditions such as controlled temperatures, humidity, and the presence of bacteria and fungi. |
| Home composting | Requires certified "home compostable" materials and may not reach high enough temperatures to effectively compost plastics. |
| Backyard composting | Not recommended due to insufficient temperatures and potential contamination with non-compostable plastics. |
| Commercial composting | May not be accepted by all commercial composters, even if certified as compostable. |
| Recycling | Biodegradable plastics can contaminate the recycling stream; separate collection and composting through biowaste collection are preferred. |
| Energy recovery | Biodegradable plastics can be used for energy recovery through incineration in some cases. |
| Environmental impact | Biodegradable plastics should be used responsibly and not littered; they do not solve the problem of plastic pollution on their own. |
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What You'll Learn
Biodegradable plastic is not a cure-all
The term "biodegradable plastic" is not regulated, and manufacturers can label products as biodegradable without meeting any standards. This lack of regulation leads to consumer confusion, as compostable and biodegradable plastics can contaminate recycling streams and are not always accepted by commercial composting facilities. Additionally, the production of biodegradable plastics requires significant resources, including farmland, water, and fossil fuels, which could be used to grow food instead.
Furthermore, biodegradable plastics are not a solution to littering. Biodegradable does not mean that a product will degrade in any environment, and if not disposed of properly, biodegradable plastics can have the same consequences as their non-biodegradable counterparts, polluting ecosystems and contributing to the plastic pollution crisis.
The best solution to slowing the build-up of plastics in the environment is to reduce consumption and properly dispose of waste. This includes reducing, reusing, and recycling traditional plastics, as well as composting biodegradable plastics where possible. It is also important to focus on designing products for effective recycling and increasing recycling efforts worldwide.
While biodegradable plastics can play a role in reducing plastic waste, they are not a cure-all, and a combination of strategies is needed to address the world's plastic problem.
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Composting biodegradable plastic
Biodegradable plastic is tested to ensure it breaks down under controlled conditions in a lab, including factors like oxygen levels, UV exposure, temperature, and time. However, nature does not provide these controlled conditions, so it is uncertain that biodegradable plastic will biodegrade in the natural world if it is littered. Therefore, it is important to compost biodegradable plastic properly.
Composting utilizes microorganisms, heat, and humidity to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass. The decomposition of plastic must occur at a rate similar to that of the other composted materials and should not leave any toxic residue that could harm plant growth.
Some biodegradable plastics are designed for industrial composting facilities, which provide specific conditions like temperature and moisture to turn plastic into usable soil conditioners. Industrial composting facilities can ensure that biodegradable plastic breaks down effectively, reducing methane emissions and returning organic carbon to the soil.
However, not all biodegradable plastics require industrial composting. Some are certified as ""home compostable"" and can be tossed into your backyard compost bin with your food waste. If you have a home compost pile, be sure to only put certified "home compostable" materials into it. Check the product's label to determine if it is suitable for home composting.
Additionally, if you have compost pick-up services, check your local program's website to see what types of compostable plastic they accept. Many commercial composters do not accept compostable plastic items, even if they are certified as compostable. It is important to follow your local recycling guidelines to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
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Industrial composting
Biodegradable plastics are often marketed as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. However, there are still significant knowledge gaps regarding their degradation under real-world conditions. For example, biodegradable plastic may not actually biodegrade in nature if littered, as nature does not have the same controlled conditions as a lab.
However, it is important to note that not all biodegradable plastics will break down in an industrial composting facility. Some plastics are designed for home composting, while others are engineered to biodegrade in soil or water. It is also important to check your local recycling guidelines, as compostable and biodegradable plastic can contaminate the recycling stream.
In addition, access to industrial composting facilities is limited, as many communities do not have them. This means that even if a plastic is designed to be composted in an industrial facility, it may never actually make it there. As a result, some have argued that it is deceptive to market plastic as "compostable."
Overall, while industrial composting of biodegradable plastics can be an effective way to dispose of waste and create renewable energy, it is not a cure-all solution to the problem of plastic waste.
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Home composting
When it comes to dealing with biodegradable plastic, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, always check the product's label to ensure it is certified "home compostable." If it is not explicitly labelled as such, do not attempt to compost it at home. Some biodegradable plastics are designed for industrial composting facilities, which provide higher temperatures to accelerate the decomposition process.
If you do have certified "home compostable" biodegradable plastic, you can include it in your home compost pile or bin. Ensure that your compost is well-maintained, with proper aeration and moisture levels, to accelerate the decomposition process. The ideal compost will be ready in about three to five months and will look dark, loose, and crumbly, resembling fresh soil.
One method of home composting is worm composting or vermicomposting. This process requires a container or bin, bedding material, worms, and food scraps. The worms break down the organic matter, including certain biodegradable plastics, into vermicompost, a rich soil amendment.
Remember, proper waste management is crucial. If biodegradable plastic is not managed properly, it may not break down as intended, leading to environmental and health concerns. Always check with your local guidelines and your city's waste website to ensure you are composting appropriately.
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Biodegradable plastic recycling
Biodegradable plastic is made from biodegradable polymers that can be broken down by microbes. However, it is important to note that not all biodegradable plastics are compostable at home and may require specific conditions in industrial composting facilities to break down.
Industrial Composting
Industrial composting facilities can provide the specific conditions required for biodegradable plastics to break down effectively. These conditions include controlled temperatures, time, humidity, and the presence of bacteria and fungi. The processed biowaste from industrial composting can be used directly as compost or for biogas plants as renewable energy.
Home Composting
Home composting is a simple and accessible method for disposing of biodegradable plastics. However, not all biodegradable plastics are suitable for home composting. It is important to look for certifications or labels that specify "home compostable" before disposing of biodegradable plastics in a backyard compost bin.
Recycling
Biodegradable plastics can be recycled mechanically and chemically, but they must be correctly separated from traditional plastic waste. Recycling involves reprocessing used materials into new products, such as through remelting or granulation. In some cases, biodegradable plastics may be used for energy recovery through incineration if the volumes are too low for economical recycling.
Reducing and Reusing
While biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution to the plastic pollution problem, it is important to prioritize reducing and reusing plastics. Properly disposing of biodegradable waste and reducing consumption can help slow the build-up of plastics in the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to dispose of biodegradable plastic is to send it to an industrial or commercial composting facility. This is because compostable plastic needs the right mixture of heat, microbes, and time to break down.
If there is no industrial or commercial composting facility in your area, the only option is to throw the plastic in the trash. Compostable plastics are not the same as traditional plastics, so they should not be thrown in with your general recycling.
Compostable plastic must be certified as "home compostable" to be composted at home. However, most backyard compost piles do not get hot enough to compost these plastics.
