4. If you were to throw out a bucket-full of traditional plastics into a landfill, then you would have methane and other forms of pollutants release as the product begins to decompose. Numerous plant materials are useful in the making of biodegradable plastics today. Traditional plastic comes from heating. Again, these are just some of the drawbacks of using these plastics. In the end, the benefits of using biodegradable plastic that are explained before is definitely promising in the long term, saving our planet and future generations! Biodegradable plastics use natural products; therefore, the use of bioplastic can profoundly reduce the amount of petroleum used and consequently lessen its environmental hazards. Besides, they are often produced using renewable resources and plant by-products like cornstarch or sugarcane that will not release toxins or harm the environment. Switching to biodegradable plastics would help to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the industry even further, despite the initial financial costs that would be required to make the transition. "The argument [for bio-based plastics] is the inherent value of reducing the carbon footprint," says chemical engineer Ramani Narayan from Michigan State University, who researches bioplastic.. This is very beneficial to us now more than ever. Any solution could and would be a boon to helping fight for a better future for our planet and help make our operations and the lives of people more sustainable and healthier. The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Bioplastic is made of organic materials such as soybean and corn plus polylactic acid (PLA). We have advised companies that manufacture single-use products on ways to reduce negative environmental impacts and weve consulted for companies that manufacture plastic products for long-term use on ways to make their products using bio-based plastics., Plastic Expert Group & Failure Labs Copyright 2023 Toll Free USA: (877) 668-4345 International: +1 (989) 281-4465, www.plasticpipefailure.com www.plasticfailure.com, Plastic Failure Services: Molding Defects Pipe Failure Analysis Materials Testing Consultants Plastic Failure PEX Failure Polymer Consulting. 3. ). Due to the raw materials and certain making process, bioplastic has a slightly higher price than fossil fuel plastic. They must be thrown into our landfills or other waste management systems. Because there is no general oversight on the manufacturing cycle from crop growth to final distribution, there isnt reliable data available to suggest that biodegradables are useful beyond the ability to offer more profits to some companies or create compost fodder. A number of conditions have to be met for biodegradable and compostable plastics to have positive environmental impacts. 3. Thus, it contributes to conserving petroleum supplies. Biodegradable plastics have ignited a revolt against ubiquitous plastic bags and by using them one can effectively contribute in conserving non-renewable resources of Earth that are depleting at a high-speed. However, bioplastic is still the better alternative to normal plastic. Bioplastics come from natural sources including crops like corn and switch grass. Biodegradable & compostable plastic breaks down only in a period of a few months, depending on the material used to make the bio plastic and the method of disposal. Energy . This amount is 68% less than that of traditional plastics. Natural materials break down into their fundamental components and are then reused to create new things. Recycling biodegradable plastics is easy. There are other places where we could help. Bioplastics are considered to be more eco-friendly than traditional plastics. Biodegradable plastics reduce the amount of waste we produce. Made from bio-based sources such as corn, wheat, sugar-cane, petroleum-based . We are producing more waste plastic today than ever. When you compare the polymers made from this crop to those using raw petroleum, it requires 65% less energy to create a similar-quality biodegradable product. Keep reading to learn some of the benefits and shortcomings of bioplastics. At least 85% of the 40 million tons of municipal plastic waste anticipated to be produced in the U.S. in 2021 was dumped there, according to Statista. Waste Reduction. Producing and recycling biodegradable can be expensive. Lets check this out! Your email address will not be published. This technology offers a number of advantages over traditional plastic materials. Traditional plastics. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and all their destructive qualities. It is true that the production of biodegradable plastics requires. The use of biodegradable plastics is becoming increasingly important as traditional plastic continues to harm the environment. Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we actually consume less energy to produce them. Biodegradable plastics help conserve petroleum supplies. However, the benefits that plastics bring to our lives are accompanied by concerns about the impact that waste plastics have on the environment. It will last for many years if stored indoors. Therefore, we can gain many benefits of using biodegradable plastics to save the future. Moreover, biodegradable plastic decomposes naturally in the environment when microorganisms metabolize and break down the structure. The initial investment might be high, but it is worth it as it will also reduce the server effects on the environment. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. Using a printing machine, company name, logo, etc are printed . Although it would be ignorant to say that biodegradable plastics are 100% safe, they are usually viewed as a product that supports sustainable business practices by consumers and those in the C-Suite. But should premature degradation occur, resulting in bottle failure, significant liability issues could result. The most important benefit of biodegradable packaging is the potential to reduce overall waste in the food industry. 1, M.I.D.C. Lesser Energy Consumption. While in some cases, the bioplastic material mixes with traditional plastic to give products more strength, any percentage that comes from a renewable source saves petroleum. For example, the corn-based plastic polymer PLA uses 65 percent less energy than creating a similar polymer from raw petroleum. Having something we can use to help fight the pollution of plastic can be very helpful in the future and help define the standard for future sustainable projects. . Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus. Humans are using different forms of plastics each day. What are the benefits of biodegradable plastic? Even with the downsides of using biodegradable plastic like the costs, it would still be more beneficial to switch to biodegradable plastic rather than continuing to use plastics like how we have been for many years. In addition, it generates 68 percent fewer greenhouse gases during its manufacture, representing a significant environmental benefit. Weight-saving advantages of plastics over metal have greatly improved fuel efficiency of automobiles, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil and reduction of carbon dioxide. The net carbon savings for recycling would be up to 30%, and for some researchers, the savings could be as high as 80% if we switch to biodegradable plastics. To help you fully understand, here are some advantages when you decide to use bioplastics. Reduction in Carbon Emission. The product is still single use plastic Its polymers occur naturally. Compounding the data reported in 2019 for biodegradable/bio-based plastics 72 and CO 2-based plastics, 32 the contribution of sustainable plastics is nearly unnoticeable. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable polymers to make plastic bags is the significant reduction in the carbon emissions that happen during the manufacturing process as compared to that of regular plastic. The Guardian also reported in 2009 that one brand of biodegradable plastic contained high levels of lead and cobalt, which raised questions about the potential toxicity of what gets left behind after the decomposition process. Because the plants that produce bioplastics absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as they grew, there is no net increase in carbon dioxide as they decompose. These materials take centuries to decompose, becoming a threat to the environment, humans, and animals. Many of the advantages of bioplastics rely on a net savings being created by a reducing of energy, water, or greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Unfortunately, the fact remains that of the more than 100 billion pounds per year of single use/disposable plastic products manufactured annually around the world, most arent recycled and end up as litter or are disposed of in landfills. In essence, the bioplastic production process emits only 8% of carbon dioxide. Biodegradable plastic is a plant-based plastic with no hazardous effects on the environment. When choosing a "biodegradable" product, the consumer tends to forget about the fact that mountains of waste pile up every year in the landfills. The decomposition process is faster and can take days, weeks, or months. The major benefits of biodegradable plastic are that it is environmentally friendly and does not contribute to pollution like traditional petroleum-based plastics. 1. The Growing Problem Of Plastic Waste And How To Recycle Plastic Bags, Are Clear Plastic Food Containers Recyclable? Despite the fact that biodegradable plastics are more expensive to produce than traditional plastics, the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh their higher costs. For instance, you can use them to create renewable energy biogases or as compost material in your yard. Such pesticides can find their way into the final product of the plastic and harm the consumers. They claim they have developed additives that, when blended into plastic, will accelerate the environmental degradation. We specialize in material selection and testing, plastic part design, service life prediction, forensic failure analysis, chemical resistance testing, due diligence studies on new plastic technologies, troubleshooting/problem solving in plastic manufacturing, and consulting on new opportunities and uses for existing products. It releases fewer harmful substances when breaking down. 8. That is in addition to the 68% reduction in greenhouse gases that occur during the manufacturing process. Biodegradable plastic bags have a number of advantages over conventional bags. The growth rate in local sales was 13% from the year before, with the entire value of this segment worth over $350 million. We can make biodegradable plastics from bio-plastics, which are products that are made from renewable raw materials instead of virgin items that we must harvest at a potential cost to the overall environment. This waste would otherwise be sent to landfills in order to discard them. Plastics have been around for about 80 years. Learn more about the benefits. The bio-based material in the production of bioplastics makes them biodegradable. This can further reduce the need for making more space for them. Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce something that can benefit the planet later on. 2. To combat this concern, some companies use mixed additive systems containing both stabilizers and prodegradants wherein the prodegradant can be triggered to overwhelm the stabilizers. Biodegradable and compostable plastics offer a suitable alternative to fossil oil-based plastics Benefits and concerns of using plastic in agriculture The discovery of plastic and its range of beneficial applications has changed the way we live our lives. However, some bioplastics are not fully using natural ingredients. New, biodegradable plastics and better recycling strategies are two promising approaches to help the world cut down on plastic waste. Unlike other plastics, bioplastics can decompose naturally. One of the technologies that may help reduce the impact of waste is to utilize biodegradable plastics. 2. Therefore, there is a good impact of using biodegradable plastic in future. Many biodegradable plastics are designed to degrade in industrial composting systems. As the green lifestyle becomes more popular, the demand for bioplastics will increase. Biodegradable reduce the amount of plastic ending in a landfill. The benefit of helping our planet is something that we cannot overlook. Biodegradables eliminate these substances from being needed. However, this entails a number of challenges. Saves Non-renewable Sources of Energy. When it comes to a better solution to save the planet, bioplastics are definitely better than the conventional one. Also, they do not need fossil fuels to be recycled. Biodegradable and compostable plastic is becoming a more frequent option on store shelves as the demand for "green" products grows. Most companies these days are jumping on the go green bandwagon and looking for ways to promote their plastic businesses by using certain words and phrases in their corporate mission statements and sales literature. 40% of all plastic is used for packaging, used one time and then discarded. 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