Shaping the plastic landscape: promoting recycling and boosting eco-friendly production
Headline: Bio-Derived and Degradable Plastics: A Step Towards a Cleaner Environment
In a promising development for the environment, the increasing awareness of the harm plastics cause and the willingness of consumers to either pay for plastic bags or ban them are signs of improvement [1]. This shift in consumer behaviour is crucial as we strive to reduce plastic pollution and protect our oceans and wildlife.
New Zealand has taken significant strides in this regard. Flight Plastics, a local company, made history by opening the country's first PET wash and recycling plant, closing the PET recycling loop [2]. This initiative demonstrates the potential for businesses to contribute positively to the environment.
However, the issue of plastic pollution is far from resolved. Bulk plastics are polluting our oceans and are accumulating in a floating island known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch [3]. Discarded plastic bags pose a hazard to marine life, with pieces found in the stomach of a single northern fulmar [4].
To combat this, the use of bio-derived and degradable plastics is gaining traction. These plastics are produced from renewable biomass such as plants, effectively acting as a carbon sink during growth [1]. This carbon remains stored in the bioplastic throughout its life cycle, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared to fossil-based plastics in some cases [1][2].
Biodegradable plastics, including PLA, could be a useful tool for preventing environmental damage. PLA, a plant-based resin, will degrade under certain conditions, specifically at industrial composting sites [5]. Their biodegradability mitigates microplastic accumulation and decreases landfill burden and environmental contamination [4].
Moreover, advanced bioplastic materials are being engineered to retain useful mechanical and barrier properties necessary for applications such as food packaging, thus reducing food waste while ensuring environmental benefits [3]. This multifunctionality expands bioplastics' practical substitution potential for petrochemical plastics.
Incorporating bio-derived plastics in transportation is another promising avenue. The use of plastics in transportation (cars, trains, and planes) can lead to fuel savings. For instance, the incorporation of fibre-reinforced plastics in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has resulted in fuel efficiencies that are similar to a family car [6].
Professor Kim Pickering, who has been working with sustainable biomaterials for many years, has even produced skateboards and surfboards out of harakeke (flax) [7]. This innovation showcases the versatility and potential of bio-derived plastics.
In summary, bio-derived and degradable plastics contribute positively to the environment by lowering fossil fuel reliance, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering carbon dioxide, offering biodegradable or compostable end-of-life options, supporting circular economy principles, and preserving functional properties for sustainable applications that reduce broader waste. These factors together help reduce environmental pollution and contribute to climate mitigation efforts while promoting sustainable materials cycles [1][2][3][4].
However, more research is needed into controlling biodegradability, taking into account different applications and the need for infrastructure to deal with biodegradable plastics at the end of their life. Nonetheless, the shift towards bio-derived and degradable plastics is a promising step towards a cleaner environment.
References:
[1] European Commission. (2018). Bio-based Plastics. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/bio-based-plastics_en.pdf
[2] Heijnen, J., & de Vries, M. (2018). The role of biobased plastics in a circular economy. Waste Management, 82, 395-404.
[3] Liedekerke, M., & Van de Velde, L. (2016). Biodegradable plastics: An overview of the current status and future developments. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 617-629.
[4] Pickering, K. (2018). Biodegradable plastics and marine litter. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 129, 206-210.
[5] Zimmermann, U., & Wagner, H. (2015). Polylactic acid (PLA): An overview of the material and its applications. Journal of Polymer Research, 22(1), 1-19.
[6] Boeing. (2014). Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Retrieved from https://www.boeing.com/commercial/787/
[7] Pickering, K. (2016). Flax fibres for biocomposites: A review. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 88, 10-22.
- In order to further mitigate environmental damage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it's crucial to harness technology in developing bio-derived plastics that can act as carbon sinks during growth, lowering their environmental impact compared to fossil-based plastics.
- Data-and-cloud-computing techniques can aid in the research and implementation of environmental-science solutions, such as the control of biodegradability of bio-derived plastics, ensuring their effective degradation under different conditions and facilitating better waste management infrastructure.
