Bioplastic

 

What is bioplastic?

Bioplastics are plastics made from renewable biomass sources like vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, wood chips, sawdust, and recycled food waste, among others. It can be used to tackle the issue of plastic waste, which is suffocating the planet and polluting the environment.  

Plastic is one of the most commonly used petroleum derivative. It is produced from a non-renewable source of energy. Moreover the plastic wastes are polluting our world and it is non-biodegradable.

Disadvantages of plastics

•  Chemical Risks- Not only the production, the recycling of plastics  is harmful for our environment.
•  Environmental harm: plastic wastes are non-biodegradable.
• Plastics are produced from non-renewable sources of energy.
  

Bioplastic - Say No to Traditional Plastics

                   

Bioplastics are either produced from natural produced by processing natural bio-polymers or produced by chemically synthesizing sugar from plants or animals. The bioplastic products are 100% bio-degradable, equally resistant and versatile.

Advantages of bioplastics

• Bioplastic reduces the carbon footprint
• They do involve the consumption of non-renewable source of energy
• They help to reduce the non-biodegradable waste 

Disadvantages of bioplastics 

• They are expensive when compared to regular plastic
• Bioplastic developed from terrestrial crops can affect the food supplies
• They have shorter life span than regular plastic

Applications of bioplastics in daily life

•  Disposable utensils, straws and bottles
• Bin liners and shopping bags
• Disposable food packaging and container
• Medical devices
  

Reference

Advantages of bioplastics vs. disadvantages: Memo for Product Designers. QualityInspection.org. (2020, March 26). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://qualityinspection.org/advantages-of-bioplastics-vs-disadvantages/. 

Miller, B. (2020, March 12). 17 biggest advantages and disadvantages of plastics. Green Garage. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://greengarageblog.org/17-biggest-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-plastics.

Mknoxgray. (n.d.). Fish say no to plastic cartoon vector illustration Doodle style. iStock. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/fish-say-no-to-plastic-cartoon-vector-illustration-doodle-style-gm1061506702-283770016.

Packaging Strategies. (2019, May 29). Study shows positive outlook for bioplastic packaging. Packaging Strategies RSS. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.packagingstrategies.com/articles/93974-study-shows-positive-outlook-for-bioplastic-packaging.

Plastic straw removed from sea turtle's nostril ... - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2J2qdOrW44.

Snijder, M. (n.d.). Post author:Martin Snijder. Circular Solutions. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.circular-solutions.eu/news/how-venture-capital-can-help-stem-the-flow-of-ocean-plastic-waste/.

What are bioplastics? Sustainability for all. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/what-are-bioplastics/?_adin=01822987860.

What is bioplastic used for? 5 main uses for Bioplastics. Tiny Eco Home Life - Sustainable Eco Living Blog UK. (2021, November 15). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.tinyecohomelife.com/what-is-bioplastic-used-for.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, November 8). Bioplastic. Wikipedia. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic.