Maya Ellison
Plastic is a material that is not easily biodegradable. While it can break down into smaller particles, these particles are toxic and can cause harm to the environment and living beings. The process of biodegradation is facilitated by microorganisms and bacteria, which break down biodegradable materials into simpler forms. However, plastic is made through a manufacturing process that creates strong carbon-carbon bonds that are not recognized by the microorganisms and bacteria responsible for biodegradation. While some bacteria have been found to break down plastic, they have not been effective in practical applications. As a result, plastic waste can persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years, leading to pollution and negative health impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for non-biodegradability | Plastics are derived from propylene, a simple chemical component of petroleum. Individual chemical units of propylene form extremely strong carbon-carbon bonds with each other, resulting in polymers. |
| Biodegradation | A process where materials are transformed by bacteria in the soil into other compounds. |
| Biodegradable plastics | Plastics that can be completely broken down by bacteria in a reasonable timeframe and specific conditions. |
| Bioplastics | Plastics made from partly biological matter. |
| Decomposition time | Plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose, while fishing lines can take around 600 years. |
| Microplastics | Smaller pieces of plastic that are toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and PS oligomer. These can infiltrate human bodies through skin, food, and air. |
| Impact on the environment | Plastic waste in landfills releases toxic chemicals into the soil, air, and waterways, causing harm to wildlife and marine life. |
| Solutions | Switch to more sustainable options like refillable containers and reusable packaging. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is not a biodegradable material
Plastic is a product derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel made from the remains of ancient living organisms such as algae, bacteria, and plants. These organisms were buried deep underground for millions of years, where they were subjected to intense heat and pressure, transforming them into fossil fuels. While plastic comes from biomaterial, it does not biodegrade because a crucial manufacturing step turns petroleum into a material that is unrecognizable to the organisms that typically break down organic matter.
Most plastics are derived from propylene, a simple chemical component of petroleum. When propylene is heated in the presence of a catalyst, it forms extremely strong carbon-carbon bonds, resulting in polymers called polypropylene. Nature rarely produces such compounds, so there are no naturally occurring organisms that can break them down effectively. This is why plastics are not biodegradable.
Plastics can break down into smaller particles over time, a process known as photodegradation, but they do not biodegrade completely for thousands of years. This is problematic because plastic trash can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water, or break into tiny bits that can be ingested by animals, fish, and birds. Additionally, the process of recycling plastic can create microplastics, which can expose workers to toxic chemicals and contaminate the environment through wastewater.
While there are biodegradable plastics on the market, such as plant-based hydro-biodegradable plastic and petroleum-based oxo-biodegradable plastic, they are not a perfect solution. Biodegradable plastics may leave behind toxic residue and microplastics, and they can also break down into tiny pieces in the ocean, similar to traditional plastics. Furthermore, the infrastructure for recycling biodegradable plastics is still lacking, with only a limited number of facilities capable of recycling them.
The development and adoption of biodegradable plastics face challenges. Creating bioplastics is expensive due to the limited availability of necessary ingredients and the high cost of setting up the required equipment. However, as demand increases, prices are expected to decrease, and it is hoped that these biodegradable materials will eventually replace plastics derived from fossil fuels.
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The process of biodegradation
Biodegradation is a natural process that breaks down organic matter through microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. The process can be divided into three stages: biodeterioration, biofragmentation, and assimilation.
During the first stage, biodeterioration, the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of the material are weakened. This stage occurs when the material is exposed to abiotic factors in the outdoor environment, such as compression, light, temperature, and chemicals. The material's structure is weakened, allowing for further degradation.
The second stage, biofragmentation, involves the breakdown of materials by microorganisms. In this stage, microbial organisms transform or alter the structure of chemicals introduced into the environment through metabolic or enzymatic action. The enzymes in the microorganisms break down the biodegradable materials.
The final stage is assimilation, where the resulting products from biofragmentation are integrated into microbial cells. Some products from fragmentation are easily transported within the cell, while others must undergo biotransformation reactions to yield products that can be transported inside the cell. Once inside the cell, the products enter catabolic pathways that lead to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or elements of the cell's structure.
The rate of biodegradation depends on various factors, including the bioactivity of the location, temperature, moisture levels, oxygen levels, and the presence of toxins. For example, biodegradation is usually fastest in hot, wet environments with sufficient microorganisms.
While most plastics do not naturally biodegrade due to their strong carbon-carbon bonds, certain types of bacteria can break them down. Additionally, biodegradable plastics can be engineered with polymers that can be digested by microbes in aerobic environments.
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Why don't we use biodegradable plastics?
Biodegradable plastics are not a silver bullet solution to the world's plastic problem. While they can be broken down by microbes, they are not widely used because they do not compare to the strength and other properties of traditional plastic, and they cost substantially more.
Biodegradable plastics are made from the same materials as conventional petroleum-based plastics, but with even more chemicals. They are often made from bio-based sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants instead of fossil fuels. However, they are not widely accepted by commercial composters, even if they are certified as compostable.
Additionally, biodegradable plastics cannot be effectively composted or anaerobically digested and do not usually break down in landfills. In the oceans, the water is usually too cold for them to break down, so they either float forever on the surface or, if they do break down, produce tiny plastic fragments that are harmful to marine life.
Furthermore, biodegradable plastics are often marketed as a solution to plastic pollution, but they are mostly single-use and there are limited options to compost them. Recycling and reusing traditional plastics remain the most effective strategies to combat plastic pollution.
Overall, while biodegradable plastics can play a helpful role in reducing waste in specific applications, they should not be relied upon as the sole solution to the plastic pollution crisis.
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The environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics
The persistence of non-biodegradable plastics contributes to pollution and has severe ecological consequences. Plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water, posing risks to both aquatic and terrestrial life. Animals, fish, and birds may ingest plastic particles or become entangled in them, leading to health issues such as ulcers, low reproduction rates, and oxidative stress. The presence of plastic pollutants in the food chain also poses a threat to human health, with potential links to cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, birth defects, and cancer.
Additionally, the global annual production of plastic exceeds 359 million tons, and plastic waste is found in various environments, including oceans and freshwater streams. The accumulation of plastic in natural habitats can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, including the disruption of food chains and the physical entanglement of wildlife.
While biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution to reduce the environmental impact, they are not without their limitations. Biodegradable plastics may still contribute to litter and environmental damage if not properly managed. Furthermore, the production of biodegradable plastics may face challenges due to the availability and cost of certain ingredients, as well as the need for specialized equipment.
To address the environmental challenges posed by non-biodegradable plastics, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes reducing plastic usage, improving waste management practices, promoting recycling and the development of eco-friendly materials, and supporting research into more sustainable alternatives. By combining these efforts, we can work towards mitigating the environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics and fostering a more sustainable future.
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Potential solutions to non-biodegradable plastics
Plastic is a significant environmental concern, with microplastics found in nature and even in the human body. While plastic does break down into smaller pieces, it does not biodegrade completely for thousands of years.
One proposed solution to the problem of non-biodegradable plastics is the use of bioplastics. Bioplastics are a polymer family whose carbon is usually sourced from biological resources such as biomass. They are biodegradable or compostable and are projected to overtake non-biodegradable bioplastics in production by 2026. Bioplastics have a reduced environmental impact during production, with less greenhouse gas emissions. However, bioplastics are not without their drawbacks. They are more expensive, and there is not enough production to replace conventional plastics. There is also a lack of regulation, with no federal standards defining or regulating bioplastic products, leading to consumer confusion.
Another potential solution is to use biodegradable materials instead of plastics. These materials break down into smaller, more usable forms over time. For example, wood, grass, and food scraps biodegrade when buried and are transformed by bacteria in the soil into useful compounds.
Additionally, there are end-of-life options for non-biodegradable plastic wastes, such as recycling, incineration with energy recovery, modification reuse, value addition, and landfilling. International policies have also been implemented to reduce single-use plastics, with many countries banning plastic polybags.
Finally, a more long-term solution may be to use peptide bonds to build polymers rather than carbon-carbon bonds. Plastics made with peptide bonds would biodegrade, but they would also have a very short shelf life, which is not ideal.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is not biodegradable because it is made from extremely strong carbon-carbon bonds that require too much energy for nature to break down.
Biodegradation is a process where materials are transformed by bacteria into simpler compounds.
Plastic is derived from propylene, a chemical component of petroleum, which is a fossil fuel made from the remains of ancient organisms.
Biodegradable plastics are an alternative to traditional plastics. They can be made from plant-based substances or petroleum-based substances.
Traditional plastic can take hundreds or even thousands of years to biodegrade. Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, can fully decompose in as little as three to six months.
