Looks like, feels like and even acts like normal PET plastic or HDPE plastic but is not derived from petrol, we are talking about Bio plastic which is derived from plants and unlike conventional plastic is biodegradable and compostable in some cases. Currently it makes up only one % of all plastic but as the demand is growing the market is growing to and soon the supply is likely to increase however right now the industry is not capable of supplying enough bio plastic.
This is the plastic of the future, bio-based plastic which is derived from biomass such as sugarcane, potatoes, cassava or even algae like plant-based substances, many companies like coca cola or starbucks have already started adopting use of Bio PET plastic since their functionality is identical to petrol based PET plastic.
Lets understand what bioplastic can potentially be made of -
Plant-Based Starches: Starches from crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava are often used to create bioplastics. For example, polylactic acid (PLA), a common type of bioplastic, is typically made from fermented starches, especially corn.
Sugars: Sugars derived from crops like sugarcane, beets, or even cellulose can be fermented to produce bio-based monomers, such as ethanol, which can then be processed into bioplastics like polyethylene (Bio-PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET).
Vegetable Oils and Fats: Some bioplastics are made using vegetable oils (e.g., soybean or castor oil). These oils can be chemically processed to create polymers used in certain types of biodegradable plastics.
Cellulose: This organic polymer, found in plant cell walls, is used to produce certain types of bioplastics, such as cellophane and cellulosic plastics. Cellulose-based bioplastics are strong, transparent, and biodegradable.
Proteins: Proteins from plants, like soy or wheat gluten, or from animal sources, like casein from milk, can be processed into bioplastics. These protein-based bioplastics have historically been used for items like buttons and adhesives.
Algae: Algae is an emerging feedstock for bioplastics, as it can be grown rapidly and in various environments. Algae-derived bioplastics are still in the early stages of development but offer potential for high sustainability.
Now that we’ve understood where the bioplastics come from let’s dive into the key benefits of replacing conventional plastic with bio plastics.
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Bioplastic production emits two to three quarters less carbon per pound than petroleum-based polymers and even Greenhouse gas emissions are much lower than those of typical plastics. Some varieties, such as those made from carbon dioxide and sugars, can reduce carbon emissions by trapping CO₂ during manufacture.
Renewable Resources: Unlike traditional plastics, which rely on fossil fuels, bioplastics are manufactured from biomass, which can be renewed through agriculture, or renewable materials such as plants, seaweed, bacteria, and food waste, making them a more environmentally friendly option. This minimises reliance on nonrenewable resources and may help mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction and processing.
Potential for Biodegradability:Certain bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), are intended to be biodegradable or compostable. This means they can break down under specific conditions, potentially reducing plastic waste in landfills and the environment if properly managed. Compostable bioplastics degrade into organic matter in weeks or months, whereas petroleum-based plastics might take decades to decay.
Reduced Toxicity:Bioplastics are often less toxic than traditional plastics, which frequently include dangerous additives and chemicals. This makes them safer for food-contact or other delicate applications. Some bioplastics emit fewer pollutants, making them safer to produce and dispose of when designed with a low environmental impact.
Innovative Waste Reduction: Some bioplastic firms are looking into using bio-waste (for example, agricultural residues) as a feedstock, which could help reduce waste generated by the agriculture and food industries.
Adaptability for Certain Applications: Bioplastics may be more advantageous in some applications, such as food packaging, agricultural films, and fishing equipment. For example, biodegradable bioplastics may break down safely in compost facilities, making them excellent for products contaminated with food waste that are difficult to recycle. Bioplastics can be adapted to specific requirements, providing a variety of qualities for a wide range of applications, including packaging and durable goods. This adaptability has the potential to minimise dependency on fossil-fuel-based polymers across a wide range of industries.
So in conclusion, as humanity develops more advanced versions of bioplastics and better technologies to decompose them bioplastics are proving to be the plastic of the future, making us less dependent on chemicals for production thereby decreasing our carbon footprint. So we are at the beginning of the reversal conventional paradigm, the reversal of the cycle of the plastic problem, as we develop bioplastic and bio solutions we go back to a cleaner planet and heal the planet from the damage we’ve been doing for decades
