Chloe Zhang
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. However, the term biodegradable is misleading as it does not imply a specific timeframe for decomposition, which can vary from weeks to months or even centuries. The decomposition process is influenced by factors such as temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels, as well as the presence of microorganisms that can break down the plastic. Improper disposal of biodegradable plastics can lead to environmental concerns, including the release of toxins and microplastics. To ensure proper biodegradation, industrial composting facilities with controlled conditions are often required. While biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution to plastic pollution, it is important to recognize that they are not a perfect solution and can still contribute to environmental challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. |
| Decomposition Time | Biodegradable plastics can take weeks to months to decompose. |
| Conditions | Biodegradable plastics require specific conditions to break down, including sustained moisture, oxygen, and temperature levels. They break down faster in hot and wet environments. |
| Composting | Composting is a specific form of biodegradation that results in compost. Industrial composting facilities provide the necessary conditions for biodegradation, including higher temperatures, pressure, and nutrient concentrations. |
| Standards | There is no international standard for home-compostable plastics. National standards exist in Australia and France. In the United States, plastics must comply with ASTM D6400 to be certified as compostable. |
| Limitations | Biodegradable plastics may not break down as advertised and can leave behind harmful toxins and microplastics. They require proper disposal and cannot break down in oceans or landfills due to a lack of oxygen and suboptimal temperatures. |
| Examples | Polylactide acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) are examples of biodegradable plastics. |
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What You'll Learn
Biodegradable plastics require specific conditions to break down
Biodegradable plastics are designed to break down into the environment naturally. However, they require specific conditions to do so effectively. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between "biodegradable" and "compostable" plastics. While both types of plastics break down into their organic constituents, composting typically occurs in aerobic environments, while biodegradation may occur in anaerobic environments. Therefore, the disposal environment will affect the possibility and rate of biodegradation. For example, in landfills, organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. On the other hand, aerobic biodegradation produces carbon dioxide and organic materials, which is preferable.
Biodegradable plastics require exposure to oxygen to break down, which is why they cannot break down in landfills, compost heaps, soil, or the ocean. Instead, they need to be disposed of in industrial composting facilities, which provide the necessary conditions for biodegradation, including higher temperatures, pressure, and nutrient concentrations. These facilities can heat the bioplastic to a high enough temperature to break it down. For example, the French standard for home compostability, "OK compost home certification scheme", specifies the conditions required for plastics to biodegrade at home.
Additionally, biodegradable plastics require specific environmental factors, such as temperature and moisture, to align for biodegradation to occur effectively. Microorganisms need to adhere to the surface of the plastic and ingest it to break it down enzymatically. This process is facilitated by hydrolysis, which involves an enzyme binding to the ingested polymer to catalyze hydrolytic cleavage. The plastic is then broken down into molecules that are mineralized into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Therefore, biodegradable plastics require specific conditions, including controlled temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels, to break down effectively.
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Bioplastics are not always eco-friendly
While bioplastics are generally considered more eco-friendly than traditional plastics, there are some concerns about their environmental impact. Firstly, the term 'biodegradable' can be misleading. Biodegradable plastics are designed to be broken down by bacteria into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. However, this process often requires specific conditions, such as higher temperatures, pressure, and nutrient concentrations, that can only be achieved in industrial composting facilities. If biodegradable plastics end up in landfills or the ocean, they may not break down as intended, contributing to waste accumulation and harming marine life.
Another issue is that the definition of 'bioplastics' is not standardized. The term is often used interchangeably with 'biodegradable plastics', but not all bioplastics are biodegradable. Some bioplastics may contain up to 80% fossil fuel-based plastic, and even those made from renewable materials can have environmental impacts during their production, such as the use of agricultural land, water, and fossil fuels. Additionally, the chemical additives used in bioplastics may have unknown toxic effects on the environment.
Furthermore, while bioplastics are less toxic and do not contain harmful chemicals like BPA, their decomposition can still release greenhouse gases, particularly methane, which has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. The production and disposal of bioplastics can also contribute to land use change, which can have negative environmental consequences.
The environmental impact of bioplastics is complex and depends on various factors, including their production, use, and disposal, and the specific type of bioplastic. While bioplastics may have reduced environmental harms compared to conventional plastics, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate their life cycles and conduct further studies to confirm their eco-friendliness. As new types of bioplastics are developed, it is crucial to address the drawbacks of current bioplastics and ensure that they genuinely benefit the environment.
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Industrial composting is the most effective method
Biodegradable plastics are designed to break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. However, the term "biodegradable" is often misused and misunderstood. While all plastics are technically degradable, the process can take hundreds of years, and even then, some fragments may never return to nature.
Biodegradable plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), are distinct from traditional plastics in that they can be broken down by bacteria. However, this breakdown is dependent on specific conditions, such as temperature, moisture, and nutrient concentration, which can typically only be achieved in industrial composting facilities.
Industrial composting facilities have the necessary infrastructure to control these environmental factors and ensure the complete breakdown of biodegradable plastics. For example, specialised facilities can heat the bioplastic to a high enough temperature to facilitate disintegration. This temperature requirement is outlined in ASTM Standards D6400 and D6868, which specify the conditions that must be met for a plastic to be labelled as commercially "compostable."
In contrast, home composting systems often fail to achieve these optimal conditions, resulting in slower degradation rates and the potential presence of toxic residue. Additionally, biodegradable plastics should not be mixed with traditional plastics, as this can contaminate the recycling stream and lead to both types of plastic ending up in landfills.
Therefore, industrial composting is the most effective method for ensuring the proper breakdown of biodegradable plastics. It provides the necessary conditions, prevents contamination, and helps reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Biodegradable plastics are not always recyclable
Biodegradable plastics are made from the same materials as conventional petroleum-based plastics but with additional chemicals. These extra chemicals cause the plastic to break down more rapidly when exposed to air and light. Some biodegradable plastics fragment rather than biodegrade, due to the addition of oxidizing agents. By fragmenting, rather than degrading, they break into small pieces that can pollute soils, increase the risk of ingestion by animals, and end up in oceans and waterways. These kinds of plastics are impossible to recover for recycling and are not suitable for composting.
The prefix "bio" can be misleading: plastics do degrade, but not into something biological. It breaks into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic. Unfortunately, recycling your 'biodegradable' plastics isn’t a great answer to this issue. Biodegradable plastics are very rarely recyclable, and biodegradable does not mean compostable–so they often end up in landfills. Compostable and bioplastic goods can be a better choice than biodegradable ones, but they often still end up in landfills unless composted appropriately.
Biodegradable plastics cannot be mixed with other plastics going to recycling. Although PLA plastic carries a #7 plastics label (the "miscellaneous" category), its presence contaminates the regular recycling stream because the plastics are made from completely different things. Biodegradable plastics belong in the composting stream, not the recycling stream. If bioplastic contaminates traditional plastic, the whole lot could be rejected and end up in landfill. Composting facilities increasingly do not want bioplastics, and many don't accept compostable foodware because of the contamination they cause in terms of chemicals and confusion around what is compostable.
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Bioplastics are not always biodegradable
While biodegradable plastics are an appealing alternative to traditional plastics, they are not without their drawbacks. The term "biodegradable" implies that a product can break apart naturally in the environment, but this process can take anywhere from weeks to centuries, depending on the specific product and the conditions it ends up in.
The Problem with Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastics made from biomass, such as corn starch, sugar cane, or wheat, and they are often touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. However, it is important to note that not all bioplastics are biodegradable. For instance, polylactic acid (PLA), a common bioplastic, is considered compostable but not biodegradable according to American and European standards because it requires artificial composting conditions to break down. These conditions include specific temperatures, pressures, nutrient concentrations, and chemical ratios that can only be achieved in industrial composting plants, which are scarce.
The Impact of Bioplastics on the Environment
The lack of infrastructure for composting bioplastics means they often end up in landfills, where they may release methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. Additionally, bioplastics can contaminate batches of recycled plastic, leading to both ending up in landfills. The production of bioplastics also raises concerns about the use of farmland that could otherwise be used for food crops, as well as the potential toxicity of the chemical additives used in their manufacturing.
The Way Forward
Given the challenges associated with bioplastics, the best solution is to avoid single-use plastics altogether. When plastic is unavoidable, it is crucial to understand the labeling and dispose of biodegradable plastics properly. Consumers should be cautious about false advertising and carefully vet any bioplastic products they consider purchasing. While compostable and bioplastic goods can be preferable to biodegradable ones, they still require appropriate composting methods to avoid contributing to landfill waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
Biodegradable plastics are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, micro-organisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of all three. Biodegradation is a natural process that breaks down everything from yard waste to crude oil.
Some examples of biodegradable plastics include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is derived from plants such as corn sugar, potatoes, or sugarcane.
The time it takes for biodegradable plastics to start biodegrading depends on various factors such as temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels. Biodegradable plastics require specific conditions, such as industrial composting facilities with controlled temperature and moisture levels, to break down effectively.
Biodegradable plastics have the potential to be better for the environment due to their reduced use of fossil fuel resources and smaller carbon footprint. However, they can also have negative impacts if not managed properly. For example, if biodegradable plastics end up in landfills or oceans, they may not break down as intended and can release harmful toxins during the degradation process.
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