Plastic is a non-biodegradable product made from petroleum which is nonrenewable and contaminates or pollutes the environment upon its consumption and disposal. Due to its toxic nature, new alternatives like bioplastic is being developed. Bioplastics are one such example of plastic made by utilizing various renewable and natural resources such as fats and oils extracted from vegetables and even the waste material of wood industries in the form of woodchips, sawdust, etc.
It is used in industries that make products like cups, straws, containers, and even in the packaging industry as a raw material having a durable, flexible nature as that found in conventional plastic while also being a more sustainable product.
Is Bioplastic Degradable?
Bioplastics are termed biodegradable not because of the nature of their decomposition but because of the renewable sources that it is formed from. Although it is an alternative to conventional plastic, it still requires proper disposal with precautions to avoid any environmental hazards. So, yes bioplastics have the potential to degrade but under specific conditions and that is why it is advised to purchase bioplastics from authenticated companies verifying the nature of the products’ sustainability.
Also See: What is Biofuel?
Types of Bioplastics Degradation
Based on the nature of the degradation of bioplastics it is categorized into the following types:
1. Degradable: Every product formed on earth is degradable but the variability in time and condition depicts the nature of the plastic components. Complete degradation of such plastics is not possible therefore leading to pollution in the environment.
2. Biodegradable: Specifically labeled bioplastics as biodegradable are the ones that can be broken into water, carbon dioxide, methane, biomass, and inorganic compounds by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, etc. It takes a few months to completely break down the bioplastic into tiny fragments.
3. Compostable: These are similarly broken down as the biodegradable bioplastics. The decomposition takes around 3 months and turns the bioplastic into nutrient-rich biomass.
5 Most Common Types of Bioplastics
Bioplastics made up of different bio-based polymers are mentioned as follows:
- Starch-Based: The main constituent is corn starch. It has the potential to be used in the manufacturing of disposable cups, plates, spoons, and even as a packaging material.
- Cellulose-Based: As the name suggests it is made of cellulosic components and is easily molded into products like eyeglass frames, electronics, sheets, rods, etc.
- Protein-Based: Wheat and milk are a few protein-rich sources that can help produce bioplastics which are majorly used in the packaging industry.
- Bio-derived Polyethylene: The products obtained from agriculture can be utilized apart from direct consumption in making Polyethylene by fermenting sugarcane and corn-like materials.
- Aliphatic Polyesters: These have a linear chain structure and are easily biodegradable having low mechanical properties. The various kinds of bio-based polyesters found in the market include polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and poly (3-hydroxy valerate).
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