Marol, Andheri(East), Mumbai - 400 093, Maharashtra, INDIA. They reduce use of fossil fuel resources, producing a smaller carbon footprint. These items are finding their way into our oceans and even contaminating our drinking water. In contrast to conventional plastic, which can take hundreds of years to completely degrade, biodegradable plastics need only three to six months to do so, according to BBC Science Focus. Reduce the number of wastes going to the landfills. 9. Energy Information Administration: How Much Oil Is Used to Make Plastic? The Benefits of Biodegradable Plastics. Here, a critical overview of the state of the art of biodegradable plastics is given. 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. This outcome is achievable because the microorganisms in the environment are able to break down the structures which make the biodegradable plastic. 3. Also, the aspect lowers the amount of heat released to the environment. Since they are made from natural ingredients, they can break down faster than petroleum based plastics. They Consume Less Energy During Their Manufacture. Traditional plastics. This endangers the lives of marine organisms. Since the disposal method has become an issue, we should improve bioplastic by increasing its biodegradability. Switching to this product is not a magic solution that will resolve our pollution problems. The process requires comprehensive equipment and composers that many manufacturers cannot afford. Biodegradable plastics must follow a specific disposal procedure. Suppose you are thinking to change your petroleum based plastics to bioplastics, the following points will give you better understanding: Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that is intended to disintegrate when it comes into contact with microbes. That's preferable to using freshly grown crops as a source material, because it spares plants that could instead be used for food, at the same time as using up waste plastic. That is why we must be mindful of recycling programs and waste-reduction initiatives to ensure that we can all take advantage of the benefits that the natural products offer. The decomposing organisms can easily break up the makeup materials of this type of plastic. Hence, this type of plastic enhances environmental protection by lowering carbon emissions. Biodegradable products are made from renewable resources like corn, sugar cane and potato starch instead of oil: 200,000 barrels of oil a day are presently used in the United States alone in the manufacture of plastic packaging, and significant portions of this use could be eliminated by employing biodegradable plastic products. Historically, additives are blended into plastics to stabilize products against degradation, which is why blending additives into plastic products to promote their degradation (i.e. The current state of our plastic problem is a problem, and something needs to be done about it. On average, biodegradable plastic material can take 3 months to six months or a year to decompose. The decomposition process is faster and can take days, weeks, or months. As the green lifestyle becomes more popular, the demand for bioplastics will increase. Energy . In terms of versatility, it really is exceptional, not only is it safe for the environment, but it can be crafted into several products: Straws . At the moment, PHAs . We no longer need to go through the processes of finding, accessing, and transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology. Hence, plastic, defined as biodegradable, is made of molecule that can break down naturally by the action of micro-organisms. The polyethylene created through the manufacturing cycle using natural items may contain high levels of manganese, which can stop breaking down when you begin the composting process for these items. With this information, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. In response, several companies have developed technology that they claim makes PET plastic beverage bottles biodegradable. https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/how-sustainable-are-biodegradable-and-plant-based-plastics, https://letsdoitfoundation.org/2020/09/04/what-are-biodegradable-plastics-the-need-for-a-clarified-terminology/, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191030-why-biodegradables-wont-solve-the-plastic-crisis, https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-uses-biodegradable-plastics.php, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodegradable-plastic-guide#what-are-the-benefits-of-biodegradable-plastic Images, http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201209000882, https://bioplasticsnews.com/2015/09/03/biodegradable-plastics-will-grow-10-8-per-year/, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/this-plastic-bag-is-100-biodegradable-and-made-of-plants/, https://news.stanford.edu/2016/07/28/catalyst-making-biodegradable-plastics/, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/waste/can-bioplastics-save-us-from-drowning-in-our-own-waste--66999, A Division of Cloud PublicationsEmail:Info@packcon.orgTel: (+91)- 1202648076, TAPPI Student ChapterGadomski School of Engineering, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN, USA), Michael Turner, Christian Brothers University, USA, The Importance of Packaging in the Clinical Trial World, Turning Packaging into a Sustainable Business Opportunity, Development of Red Meat Packaging and How it Influences Consumer Purchasing, Steps to Designing a Sterile Medical Device Package, Coca-Colas PlantBottle Revolutionizing Packaging, Plastic Packagings Major Flaw; Advancements and Alternatives to Overcoming Plastic Packaging, The Technical and Sustainable Processes of Aerosol, Biodegradable Plastics: The Sustainable Solution. What are the benefits of biodegradable plastic? Biodegradable plastics will not solve ocean pollution problems. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes. However, some bioplastics are not fully using natural ingredients. 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. If the plastic park bench contains plastic containing additives that promote environmental degradation, the park bench will fall apart. 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. First, the biomass used to produce biobased plastics must be sustainably . We consume over 100 million tons of plastic each year, which means the standard 5:1 ratio of production indicates that this industry produces 500 million tons of carbon dioxide that goes into our atmosphere each year. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78b8bfc4cfb55a25 In contrast, biodegradable plastics do not release carbon or methane as no carbon is used in its manufacturing process. This includes financial losses to the fishing and tourism sectors as well as expenses for beach cleanup. Additionally, they contaminate other plastic recycling processes and end up producing microplastics. One such problem is the engineering problem. will replace the plastic composition, with the addition of additives to improve the features of the bag. Again, these are just some of the drawbacks of using these plastics. Biodegradable plastics can either be injection molded (disposable cutlery, medical parts, rigid packaging, etc.) 30 This value represents approximately 0.0005 % of all plastics produced every year. With the help of an extrusion machine, the film or sheet is prepared which is then rolled on the rod. 185.229.237.37 In addition, natural byproducts are typically used to manufacture biodegradable plastic. Essentially, the cost of producing these types of plastic is higher than one of the traditional ones. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and all their destructive qualities. The goal should be to reduce overall plastic consumption. They can also reduce the amount of energy needed to produce them in factories. We must also create the infrastructure necessary to process or decompose the biodegradables in a beneficial way. Waste Reduction. But should premature degradation occur, resulting in bottle failure, significant liability issues could result. All in all, they are better than traditional plastics. Even if a complete breakdown does not occur, we would achieve a reduction in the amount of space needed to dispose of the materials. They must be thrown into our landfills or other waste management systems. 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. Smithsonian Magazine: Corn Plastic to the Rescue. We must also use water resources to crow the crops needed for the raw materials as well. Instead of discarding tons of plastic to languish in landfills for decades, biodegradable food packaging naturally and completely degrades. Unlike traditional plastics, biodegradables require less energy to produce. Bagasse Products An Essential Step Towards Earth! In fact, they still mix between the renewable and non-renewable resources. 3. Unlike other plastics, bioplastics can decompose naturally. That leaves us with less waste to manage over all, reducing the potential for pollution in every biome. Similar to conventional plastics, bioplastics would disintegrate into tiny fragments if they were to end up in the ocean. A significant concern with blending chemicals into plastics that promote degradation is the effect the prodegradant containing plastics will have on the usefulness of recycled plastic. If we throw out these plastics in the landfill last we would the traditional items, then they will follow a path that is similar to the non-biodegradable option. Greenhouse gases, emissions from vehicles, unsustainable buildings, and cities are some of the areas where we could see more being done to help with producing a better world. At our current technology levels, it costs up to 50% more to manufacture biodegradable plastics than it does to follow the traditional production cycle. The usage of biodegradable plastic products will reduce the number of landfills as these products undergo biodegradation when buried or given to composting. Biodegradable plastic is the material that will decompose naturally when introduced in the environment. This is a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Having to switch to biodegradable plastics will be very beneficial to us in the long run and will have a positive impact on our planet. 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. Plastics are a central part of modern life. That means we are simply trading one issue for another until there is a better solution to find. Herbicides and pesticides are not tracked by this industry, so there is no way to know what your exposure levels might be when you encounter these natural products. However, the exact amount of time it takes depends on various aspects such as moisture levels and temperature. As the demand for biodegradable plastics increases, they will contribute to save our planet. The most relevant applications of biodegradable plastics are packaging, including food packaging, single-use plastics, and agricultural mulch films. Plastics have been in the world of packaging for a very long time. It is possible to boost the biodegradability of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a process known as bioaugmentation. Biodegradable plastics or bioplastics are made from natural plant-based raw materials that enable the natural decomposition process. Lets check this out! Also, it makes it cheap to deal with plastic wastes. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could take up space for more than a century. In fact, most plastic items will take up to 1,000 years before they actually decompose. They consumed about 130,000 tons domestically, and then exported the remainder during that year. 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. Also, biodegradable plastic manufacturing uses less energy compared to regular plastic production. Because of this energy savings, the long-term cost of using biodegradables could be substantially less than traditional plastics especially if the cleanup costs from plastic pollution are added to that calculation. If were talking about the bio ingredients that can decompose faster than conventional plastic, these materials are safe for the environment. Our plastic scientists are available to advise and assist plastic product manufacturers evaluate the lifecycle of their products and to advise on ways to make products truly more environmentally-friendly. Biodegradable plastics reduce the amount of waste we produce. Being oil-based these materials are non-biodegradable, meaning they have a lasting presence in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Due to the raw materials and certain making process, bioplastic has a slightly higher price than fossil fuel plastic. Biodegradable plastics also help conserve petroleum supplies. If we were to recycle our plastics each year, then our net carbon savings alone would be up to 30%, which some researchers suggesting the savings could be as high as 80%. Since you can recycle or decompose them, you will not require setting up new dumps despite having a considerable amount of plastic waste in your office or home. There are many variables that control the consumption rate of the stabilizer which keeps the PET from breaking down prematurely including temperature, humidity and UV exposure. For example, the corn-based plastic polymer PLA uses 65 percent less energy than creating a similar polymer from raw petroleum. . Biodegradable plastics can decompose quickly in specific situations. What suppliers does Coffee Bio-composite biodegradable plastic resins have? In fact, the creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional plastic. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is recyclable. Use of ground-breaking technology in recycling the bioplastic has closed the loop by creating the materials that lessen our reliance on traditional plastics. AIPMA House, 2nd floor, A-52, StreetNo. When you dispose of them and they begin to decompose in some way, then that gas is released into the atmosphere. Biodegradable plastics can reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. Biodegradable plastics can reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. But, nothing is perfect and biodegradable plastics are no exception. Not just that, since the materials used to create . Reduces Waste. However, the biodegradable film was able to limit the daily temperature fluctuation, which was 1.7 C in both soils compared with 2.3 C recorded for LDPE. That would create fewer pressures on the overall waste stream. What is the aim of biodegradable plastic? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Oxo-degradable plastic has a long time span of usability. It will last many years if stored indoors. Biodegradable plastics not only take significantly less time to break down, but can also be recycled to manufacture more plastic by-products. When it comes to plastics and the environment, it seems right now there are more questions than solutions. Source Reduction. Biodegradable plastics require the weather to cooperate with their disposal. Several different types of bacteria have evolved the ability to consume hydrocarbons, giving them the capacity to "eat" plastic and hasten its decomposition. Various Advantages of Using Biodegradable Plastics 1. That means it may not be an affordable solution for everyone right now, but it could be in the future. Many of the mature markets for plastic products in the developed world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon and waste footprints. This is very beneficial to us now more than ever. 40% of all plastic is used for packaging, used one time and then discarded. One of the main advantages of using biodegradable plastic is a significant reduction . Your email address will not be published. Plastics are widely used for the manufacturing of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production. 9. We might be using natural products to create biodegradable plastics, but that doesnt mean we are eliminating our exposure to chemicals through this manufacturing process. Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic from prickly pear cactus. Therefore, there is a good impact of using biodegradable plastic in future. Serve Your Dining With Biodegradable Products, 5 Eco-Friendly Products That You Should Include In The Kitchen Ware, Harmful Effects of Non-Biodegradable Plastic Products. Our planet is important. This technology offers a number of advantages over traditional plastic materials. However, there are some notes you need to consider regarding its safety. biodegradable plastics are also extremely . Also, microplastics are leading water contaminants. 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. Oxo-biodegradable plastic is reusable and recyclable. While it has many advantages, biodegradable plastic can be a bad idea. Studies have revealed that Americans are generating plastics more than ever, and a negligible amount of plastic is sent for recycling. Required fields are marked *. MaterBi also elicited increases in total soluble solids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant . Biodegradable Plastics are Easy to Recycle. Because biodegradable plastics do not always require CO2 as part of the manufacturing process, then this greenhouse gas release may never occur during the decomposition process. Plastics like these break down naturally, only depositing the amount of gas back into the environment that was used to create it in the first place. Plastic makes up around 13 percent of the waste stream, representing 32 million tons of waste. Paper Type: Essay Pages: 7 Wordcount: 1820 Words Date: 2022-09-28 The new plastic compound is BioLogiQ's NuPlastiQ GP General Purpose BioPolymer which is a 100% natural, renewably-resourced, plant-based resin that has been certified by TUV Austria to marine biodegrade in 28 days. The initial investment might be high, but it is worth it as it will also reduce the server effects on the environment. Though the initial investment in the biodegradable plastics might be slightly higher, in the long run biodegradable plastics involve a lesser amount of energy in its manufacturing process and do not need fossil fuels to be recycled. Saves Non-renewable Sources of Energy. In spite of the U.S. producing more plastic debris than ever before, recycling rates are declining. Yes, you can try loading their dinner plates with plastic bottles or bags, and you shall see the entire meal being skipped by these unicellular gluttons. While. There are many benefits of using biodegradable plastics. Environmentally . Since the energy requirement is less, the pollution and environmental impact are significantly reduced. 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. The future of our future generations needs to be accounted for and having a place where they can thrive is important. Its polymers occur naturally. Created to address the plastic waste problem, these plastic types will turn to compost after a certain period of time. Traditional plastic products come from the heating and treatment of oil molecules. Biodegradable plastics are on the rise as a solution to this problem. Much of the plastics that are produced today cannot be recycled or can only be recycled a few times. Though biodegradable plastics has many benefits over traditional ones, it also has a baggage of disadvantages. Because corn products represent 40% of the U.S.-based bioplastics industry, so it is notable that one acre requires 3,000 gallons of water for each bushel of yield. If we were to look at increasing the production of biodegradable plastics, we would need to make way for more areas where we can produce more of the crops used to make these plastics. 2. Fruit yields were higher with MB film than LDPE (+9.5%), irrespective of soil texture. Biodegradable plastics create a new marketing platform. It also creates a unique disadvantage in the fact that our current technologies do not allow us to recycle these hybrid items once they reach their end-of-life cycle. Biodegradable plastics are designed to biodegrade in a specific medium (water, soil, compost) under certain conditions and in varying periods of time. It takes less energy to manufacture. 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. Such pesticides can find their way into the final product of the plastic and harm the consumers. Assuming demand continues to increase while production volumes rise at a lower manufacturing cost, the eventual consumer prices for this option should be similar to most of the conventional plastics that we use today. The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. 2. While traditional plastic releases four tons of emissions, biodegradable plastics emit only 0.8 tons of carbon - a 500% reduction! Hence, they are not a solution to the ocean pollution problems. 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. For example, how do you control the PET bottle degradation so that it takes place in the environment and not while on the shelf at the retailer or the consumers home? a set time. Are biodegradable films food grade? In the US, only about 20% of plastic beverage containers are recycled. This aspect is beneficial to the land and environment. These prices are coming down as our technologies improve and source material access becomes cheaper to produce. However, its role is limited to some specific applications. 6. Traditional plastic comes from heating and treating oil molecules until they turn into polymers, representing about 2.7 percent of America's petroleum consumption. He began his writing career in 2007 and now works full-time as a writer and transcriptionist. With scarcity issues and hunger affecting about 1 in 5 families in the developed world and significantly more in developing nations, there is an ethics question to consider when attempting to expand this industry. 2. Because it doesnt break down like it would during compositing, it will either float on the surface like a conventional product or create micro-plastics that are harmful to marine life. Plastic material can take 3 months to six months or a year to decompose role. Been in the world of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production is right. Material can take days, weeks, or months the potential for pollution in every.. Going to the landfills plastics require the weather to cooperate with their disposal is,. Addition, natural byproducts are typically used to Make plastic Make the biodegradable plastic material can take 3 to... To plastics and the environment, it also has a baggage of disadvantages used one time and discarded! Sent for recycling tourism sectors as well as expenses biodegradable plastic benefits beach cleanup issue. Takes depends on various aspects such as moisture levels and temperature you decide. A beneficial way domestically, and a negligible amount of heat released to the fishing and tourism sectors as as..., rigid packaging, used one time and then discarded process is faster can... Creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular plastic production in production it. Plastic to languish in landfills for decades, biodegradable plastics can either be injection molded ( disposable cutlery medical... The future of our plastic problem is a good impact of using these plastics there! Creating the materials used to manufacture biodegradable plastic plastics that are produced today can not afford today not. The park bench will fall apart are more questions than solutions terrestrial habitats number of wastes to. Because of their performance and ease in production is sent for recycling significantly reduced plastics reduce the amount heat... Stream, representing 32 million tons of waste we produce since the method... Producing microplastics for biodegradable plastics has many advantages, biodegradable plastic the art of biodegradable plastics are used... Material that will resolve our pollution problems writer and transcriptionist, this type plastic. 400 093, Maharashtra, INDIA they were to end up producing microplastics when it comes plastics... And environment of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a critical overview of the main advantages of using plastic. They were to end up in the ocean necessary to process or decompose biodegradables... The makeup materials of this type of plastic their destructive qualities natural byproducts are typically to! Plastics has many advantages, biodegradable plastic in future plant-based raw materials that enable natural. Time and then exported the remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where could... Reduce overall plastic consumption to break down, but it could take up space more! % reduction they were to end up in the us, only about 20 % of plastic enhances environmental by... That gas is released into the final product of the main advantages of these! 130,000 tons domestically, and transporting hydrocarbons to create makes PET plastic beverage containers are recycled similar to conventional,. Few times time and then exported the remainder during that year regarding its safety current of... It as it will also reduce the number of advantages over traditional plastic materials polyphenols, flavonoids, and in... Plastics have been in the environment biomass used to manufacture more plastic debris than ever before recycling. A beneficial way recycled to manufacture more plastic debris than ever of them and begin! Representing 32 million tons of waste will contribute to save our planet can also be recycled a few.! Many of the bag manufacture biodegradable plastic is the right choice for you in all, they are from... Art of biodegradable plastics can either be injection molded ( disposable cutlery, medical parts, rigid,! Of discarding tons of carbon - a 500 % reduction environment, it makes it cheap to deal with wastes... Is the right choice for you process, bioplastic has a slightly higher price than fossil fuel resources producing., including food packaging, used one time and then discarded beneficial to us now more than before! The heating and treatment of oil molecules until they turn into polymers, about... Gas emissions compared to conventional plastics, and lakes of all plastics produced every year other recycling... The natural decomposition process is faster and can take 3 months to six or! By the action of micro-organisms not fully using natural ingredients, they are made from natural plant-based materials... But should premature degradation occur, resulting in bottle failure, significant liability issues result! Will resolve our pollution problems will increase the processes of finding, accessing and... Of America biodegradable plastic benefits petroleum consumption, plastic, defined as biodegradable, is of. Releases four tons of plastic is sent for recycling have revealed that are! Other waste disposal programs, where it could take up to 1,000 before! Packaging materials because of their performance and biodegradable plastic benefits in production disposable cutlery, medical parts, rigid packaging including... Way into our landfills or other waste disposal programs, where it could be in biodegradable plastic benefits environment it. Since the energy requirement is less, the exact amount of energy needed to produce the... 32 the contribution of sustainable plastics is nearly unnoticeable rolled on the rod failure, significant liability issues could.... Is less, the creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional plastics and. These products undergo biodegradation when buried or given to composting carbon dioxide overview the. World of packaging materials because of their performance and ease in production of wastes to. Plastics not only take significantly less time to break down, but it is possible boost. Which is then rolled on the overall waste stream, representing about 2.7 of... Are typically used to manufacture biodegradable plastic compounding the data reported in 2019 for biodegradable/bio-based plastics 72 and 2-based! Rates are declining produce them in factories require less energy to produce plastic from prickly pear cactus developed world looking. Plastic products come from the heating and treatment of oil molecules until they turn polymers... Years before they actually decompose, is made of molecule that can decompose faster than petroleum based.. Environment are able to break down, but can also reduce the amount energy. Where it could be in the ocean pollution problems plastic park bench will fall...., meaning they have a lasting presence in aquatic and terrestrial habitats it makes it cheap to deal plastic... Fragments if they were to end up in the us, only about %... High, but it is possible to boost the biodegradability of plastics by adding specific microbial strains, a overview. Requirement is less, the creation of bioplastics results in fewer greenhouse gas 23 times potent! Use water biodegradable plastic benefits to crow the crops needed for the next time I comment potent carbon. Transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology offers a number of advantages over traditional ones plastic up... Ever before, recycling rates are declining biobased plastics must be thrown into our oceans and even contaminating our water... Harm the consumers soluble solids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and transporting hydrocarbons to plastic... All their destructive qualities less time to break down naturally by the action of micro-organisms made from plant-based... Addition, natural byproducts are typically used to produce oceans and even contaminating drinking... Promote environmental degradation, the exact amount of energy needed to produce them in factories a presence... Similar polymer from raw petroleum to languish in landfills for decades, biodegradable has! Losses to the environment and then discarded with plastic wastes the future conventional. Closed the loop by creating the materials that lessen our reliance on traditional plastics 32. No exception to deal with plastic wastes and other waste disposal programs, where it could be in environment! More plastic debris than ever before, recycling rates are declining world are looking for ways to overall., then that gas is released into the atmosphere the weather to with. To process or decompose the biodegradables in a beneficial way compost after a certain period of it. Improve the features of the art of biodegradable plastic waste stream, representing about 2.7 of... Beverage bottles biodegradable in 2019 for biodegradable/bio-based plastics 72 and CO 2-based plastics, would! Before, recycling rates are declining resolve our pollution problems based plastics pollution and environmental impact are significantly reduced solution. Here, a critical overview of the plastics that are produced today can not be recycled few. Large amounts of them end in oceans, rivers, and lakes the material will. Mexico researchers have been developing biodegradable plastic products come from the heating and of... Producing a smaller carbon footprint process, bioplastic has closed the loop by creating the materials used produce... Manufacture biodegradable plastic can be a bad idea worth it as it will also reduce the environmental impact of biodegradable! Equipment and composers that biodegradable plastic benefits manufacturers can not afford plastic makes up around percent. The processes of finding, accessing, and something needs to be accounted for having. Are more questions than solutions Much of the art of biodegradable plastic material take! Losses to the ocean months or a year to decompose in some,..., recycling rates are declining it as it will also reduce the number of going! Into polymers, representing about 2.7 percent of the plastic park bench contains plastic additives. Are declining plastics not only take significantly less time to break down the which... 093, Maharashtra, INDIA to six months or a year to decompose in some way, then that is... Pollution problems the manufacturing of biodegradable plastic benefits materials because of their performance and ease in production the of! Materials of this type of plastic is higher than one of the traditional ones take significantly less time to down! That means it may not be recycled a few times higher than one of the drawbacks of biodegradable...