Alexei Volkov
Plastic is everywhere, and so is the debate about its environmental impact. With over 380 million tons of plastic produced globally each year, it's no surprise that concerns about plastic waste are rising. While some argue for a complete shift away from plastic, others explore ways to make plastic more environmentally friendly. Biodegradable and compostable plastics, for instance, seem like a promising solution. However, the reality is more complex. While these alternatives can help reduce waste in specific applications, they are not a silver bullet. The recycling process for biodegradable plastics is intricate, and if not managed properly, they may not break down as intended, causing environmental damage. As consumers, it's essential to understand the nuances of plastic's impact and make conscious choices to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic responsibly. Additionally, exploring eco-friendly alternatives, such as glass, metal, or bamboo, can collectively contribute to a greener future.
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What You'll Learn
Biodegradable plastic
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. Biodegradable plastics are defined by their ability to break down completely into substances found in nature within a reasonable timeframe.
However, it is important to note that biodegradable plastics do not have defined conditions for breaking down in the same way that compostable plastics do. Biodegradable plastics are tested under controlled conditions in a lab, but nature does not have controlled conditions. Therefore, it is uncertain whether biodegradable plastics will actually biodegrade if littered. When these materials do not break down, they can have the same negative consequences as their non-biodegradable counterparts, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis.
While biodegradable plastics alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis, they can play a helpful role in reducing waste in specific applications. For example, compostable takeout containers can be composted along with any remaining food residue.
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Compostable plastic
However, compostable plastic alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis. All plastic, including compostable types, must be collected and paired with the right recovery systems to keep them out of nature. Compostable plastic must be recovered in either home or commercial compost, depending on what the specific item is designed for. If these materials are not managed properly once they become waste, they will likely not break down as intended.
In addition, the word 'bioplastics' does not have a standardized definition and may include up to 80% fossil fuel-based plastic. Compostable plastic may also produce significantly more greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) than single-use plastic due to its lifetime impact. Furthermore, composting facilities increasingly do not accept bioplastics due to contamination concerns, both in terms of chemicals and confusion around what is compostable.
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Eco-friendly plastic alternatives
While biodegradable and compostable plastics are better alternatives to conventional plastics, they are not without their limitations. For instance, biodegradable plastic may not break down as intended if it ends up as litter. Compostable plastic, on the other hand, requires specific conditions like temperature and moisture found in industrial composting facilities to break down effectively. Therefore, to ensure these eco-friendly plastics are properly disposed of, they must be collected and paired with the right recovery systems.
One eco-friendly alternative to plastic is polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and low-cost polymer made from natural sources. PLA is commonly used in plastic bottles and can degrade within two to three months in an industrial composting facility. However, it won't break down any faster than conventional plastic if tossed into a landfill.
Another alternative is Polyethylene PDC, which promotes the degradation of the standard plastic bag material, polyethylene. When added to polyethylene at 3%, PDC facilitates the breakdown of 95% of the plastic into bacteria-friendly fragments within four weeks.
Casein-based plastic is another eco-friendly alternative that has been used since the 1800s as a substitute for ivory or tortoiseshell. While it is too brittle for widespread use, scientists have recently developed a polystyrene-type material by infusing casein plastic with sodium montmorillonite, a silicate clay. This new material is less toxic and more durable, beginning to degrade completely in dump environments.
Additionally, the following materials can be used as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic:
- Stainless steel
- Glass
- Bamboo
- Natural fiber cloth
- Ceramics
- Cotton
- Wool
- Linen
- Hemp
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Plastic recycling
Recycling rates for plastic lag behind those of other materials such as aluminium, glass, and paper. From the start of plastic production until 2015, the world generated about 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste, only 9% of which was recycled, and only 1% recycled more than once. Of the remaining waste, 12% was incinerated, and the rest (79%) was sent to landfills or ended up as pollution in the environment.
The majority of plastic recycling is mechanical and involves melting and reforming plastic into other items. This can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level and requires sorting waste by colour and polymer type, which is often expensive and complicated. Errors can lead to material with inconsistent properties, making it unappealing to the industry. Feedstock recycling is another method, where waste plastic is converted into its starting chemicals, which can be used to create fresh plastic. This process, however, involves higher energy and capital costs.
Although plastic recycling can help alleviate some of the environmental burden of disposal, it is not a perfect solution. The plastic that is recycled does not become the same quality plastic and has limited applications. For example, the US plastic bottle recycling rate is less than 25%. Recycling plastic also does not address the broader issue of plastic pollution, with approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the oceans annually and damaging oceanic ecosystems.
To optimise plastic recycling, it is important to follow local recycling instructions and advocate for more extensive plastic recycling collections. Efforts such as purchasing items made from or packaged in post-consumer content can also help. Additionally, some supermarkets and retailers now collect a wider range of plastic bags and wrappings, including baby and pet food pouches, crisp and sweet packets, delivery bags, and salad bags.
While plastic recycling is not a comprehensive solution, it can play a role in reducing plastic waste alongside other measures such as reducing plastic use, choosing plastic products carefully, and reusing them as much as possible.
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Plastic's environmental harmony
Plastic is a major environmental concern, with 380 million tons produced annually, and 60% of all plastic ever made accumulating in landfills and the environment. However, when used thoughtfully, plastic can have a positive impact on the environment.
Plastic in Vehicles
Plastic components are increasingly used in vehicles because they are lightweight and sturdy. This reduces the weight of vehicles, improving fuel efficiency and reducing fossil fuel usage. Plastic windows and other building parts can also filter UV rays, keeping buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reducing energy consumption.
Plastic Packaging
Plastic's lightweight and sturdy nature has also streamlined product packaging, reducing the amount of material required for transportation. This contributes to fuel savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics
Biodegradable and compostable plastics can play a role in reducing waste. For example, compostable takeout containers can be composted along with remaining food residue. However, they are not a silver bullet for the plastic pollution crisis. Biodegradable plastics may not break down as intended if they end up as litter, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. Compostable plastics require specific conditions, such as temperature and moisture, to break down effectively, which are provided in industrial composting facilities.
Bioplastics
Bioplastics are biodegradable or compostable plastics made from natural substances like corn, soy, sugarcane, and other crops instead of petroleum. They are designed to replace harmful plastics in food packaging and around the home. However, most bioplastics do not break down in home composts, landfills, or the environment, and often require commercial composting facilities.
Other Eco-Friendly Alternatives
There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic, such as stainless steel, glass, bamboo, natural fiber cloth, and ceramics. Bamboo, for example, is a natural and renewable material with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
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Frequently asked questions
Biodegradable plastic is plastic that has the ability to break down completely into substances found in nature, and in a reasonable timeframe. However, this process only occurs under controlled conditions in a lab, and it is uncertain whether biodegradable plastic will biodegrade in the natural world if it is littered.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polyester derived from starchy plants, including corn and sugarcane. PDC-containing polymers are also more biodegradable than their purer polymer cousins.
Some environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic include stainless steel, glass, bamboo, natural fiber cloth, and ceramics.
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