of The global bioplastics market is growing rapidly. The purpose of bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, and compostable plastics is to Diverting demand from oil-based plastics In theory, it would reduce the burden on the planet by decomposing in weeks rather than centuries. While this is a useful step forward when it comes to single-use packaging, we still recommend looking for plastic-free options.
Let’s dig into the reality of biodegradable plastics. Despite the high hopes placed on these alternatives to help build a circular economy and address the challenges of plastic recycling, there is still uncertainty about how to properly dispose of plastic at the end of its life. There seems to be a lot of confusion. Do you know the difference between these bioplastics?
Bioplastics cover a wide range
Bioplastics include a wide range of materials. commonly defined as “biobased, biodegradable, or both.”
You may be surprised to learn that bioplastics can: Is non-biodegradable or contains no biologically derived materials. Confusingly, some are 100% fossil-based. Complicating matters, bioplastics can be classified as partially biobased, fully biobased, nonbiobased, biodegradable, provided that they are non-biobased and non-biobased. It can be compostable or non-biodegradable in any combination. Non-biodegradable. ”
Let’s take a closer look.
What is bioplastic?
Fossil fuel-based and non-biodegradable plastics are what we know as conventional plastics. Most of these plastics take centuries to break down in the environment, and petroleum-based plastics leave toxic byproducts in soil and water. However, if a plastic is bio-based and biodegradable, or bio-based and non-biodegradable, it can be classified as a bioplastic.
Bioplastics are commonly made from Cornstarch, cassava, or sugarcane. These are an alternative to petroleum-based plastics that break down faster and leave fewer toxins behind. However, the idea that these plant-based plastics are natural is a big misconception. Release of biomass content of these plant-based plastics methane It breaks down in landfills and acts like conventional plastic in the ocean, breaking down into microplastics that harm marine life by mistaking them for food.
How do you recycle or dispose of bioplastics? Currently, many products in this category are labeled as plastic #7 (or mixed). Placing these in curbside recycling bins almost everywhere in the United States contaminates the waste stream. Check the packaging, call the local government, Browse TerraCycle We’re looking into alternative recycling programs, but if no one will accept it, we’ll have to throw it away. #7 Placing plastic in the recycling bin can ruin the plastic recycling process at the receiving Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
In the long term, we need stronger infrastructure to collect bioplastics and industrial composting facilities to close the loop. Like much recycling infrastructure, plastic recycling is stuck in the late 20th century.
What is biodegradable plastic?
The term “biodegradable” mislead consumers This is because the process by which materials in a compost pile break down is highly dependent on humidity and temperature. Many plastics that make this claim only biodegrade in industrial conditions that reach sufficiently high temperatures. While some cities, such as San Francisco and Seattle, have invested in ensuring their composting programs reach industrial temperatures, the majority have not yet done so. This highlights the need to be careful when choosing what to recycle.
There is many types The most common types of biodegradable plastics are starch-based polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The People’s Liberation Army can ‘look and act’ While PHA is a carbon-rich organic It is produced by microorganisms that produce plastics from materials and is used in industrial applications such as the production of injection molded auto parts.
Oxygen-degradable plastics, traditional petroleum-based plastics with additives that help them break down faster, are another subset of biodegradable plastics. California is the only state Display method recently passed to keep conditions separate plastic recycling law Producers therefore need to take responsibility for collecting and processing the packaging they produce. The state’s landmark Extended Producer Responsibility Act includes compostable plastics.
How do you recycle or dispose of biodegradable plastics? Contact your local municipality and ask if you are eligible for a local composting program. TerraCycle Zero Waste Box If it’s biodegradable or compostable plastic, throw it away.
What is compostable plastic?
Compostable plastics are another subset of biodegradable plastics, but All compostable plastics are biodegradableNot all biodegradable plastics are compostable. Many consumers think they can compost these products at home, but this is not the case. In most cases, industrial composting facilities are required to break them down. Most compostable plastics are bio-based and designed to break down within three to six months in industrial composting facilities.
Unfortunately, this confusion can lead to littering. Although compostable plastics have a lower carbon footprint, they don’t solve our problems. disposable culture.
How do you recycle or dispose of compostable plastic? Unfortunately, it cannot be composted. Like biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics do not necessarily break down in all commercial composting facilities. Check with your local government about existing or planned composting facilities that can process compostable plastics. Or please consider TerraCycle compostable plastic options.
For the time being, let’s treat bioplastics as plastics.
The reality is that we are producing bioplastics faster than we have the infrastructure needed to safely circularly dispose of them, and multinational brands are taking the initiative with clear and transparent labels to educate consumers. You need to install it. Unless a post-consumer bioplastic solution is established, bioplastics will end up in landfills or polluted waterways just like traditional plastics.
That’s why, for now, it might be helpful to consider that they are just that: plastic. Make the biggest positive impact on the planet by reducing your plastic usage.
Editor’s note: This article was published on February 5, 2021 and updated in October 2024.
