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As we all know, plastics are made from petroleum products and other fossil fuels. They're cheap, durable, and have a variety of applications. But they're also non- biodegradable, meaning they'll sit in landfills for centuries after we're gone.
t’s no secret: Plastics are a major threat to our environment. The United States alone generates over 30 million tons of plastic w aste each year, with only 10% of that figure being recycled. The rest is piled into landfills or left to scatter across the globe, w here it can take more than 500 years to break dow n. Every piece of plastic made w ithin the last century is still present somew here on Earth—and that’s a big problem.
There are two main types of bioplastics: thermoplastic and thermoset. Thermoplastic bioplastics can be melted and reformed over and over again, making them ideal for things like plastic bags and w ater bottles. Thermoset bioplastics, on the other hand, are made from polymers that cross-link to form a strong, solid material. They're often used in food packaging and medical devices.
Enter bioplastics. These are plastics made from renewable resources like corn starch, vegetable oils, or even bacteria. They can be just as strong and versatile as regular plastics, but they're much more environmentally friendly
Bioplastics are still a relatively new technology, so they can be more expensive than regular plastics. But as production methods improve, that cost is likely to come down. In the meantime, we can all do our part by choosing bioplastic products over their traditional counterparts whenever possible.
There is currently a wide range of bioplastic types w ith specific end-of-life options for each variety. Some biobased plastics can be composted, w hile others must be recycled. Some are “biodegradable” w hile others break dow n almost as slow ly as traditional plastics. Understanding w hich biobased material is best for your product can be confusing. So, w e’ve put together this guide to help you learn the basics of bioplastics.
There are two main types of bioplastics: thermoplastic and thermoset. Thermoplastic bioplastics can be melted and reformed over and over again, making them ideal for things like plastic bags and w ater bottles. Thermoset bioplastics, on the other hand, are made from polymers that cross-link to form a strong, solid material. They're often used in food packaging and medical devices.
So, what are bioplastics exactly? Bioplastics are made from renewable resources like corn starch, vegetable oils, or even bacteria. They can be just as strong and versatile as regular plastics, but they're much more environmentally friendly.
The development of biobased plastics, or bioplastics, hasprovided humanity with a more eco-friendly alternative for the production of packaging and single-use items. The industry is steadily growing; market experts predict global bioplastic production capacity will increase from about 2.05 million tons globally in 2017 to approximately 2.44 million tons in 2022. In theory, bioplasticscould replace any disposable item made from plastic, such as cutlery, packaging, and straws.
Bioplastics are made from renewable resources like corn starch, vegetable oils, or even bacteria. They can be just as strong and versatile as regular plastics, but they're much more environmentally friendly.
There are two main types of bioplastics: thermoplastic and thermoset. Thermoplastic bioplastics can be melted and reformed over and over again, making them ideal for things like plastic bags and water bottles. Thermoset bioplastics, on the other hand, are made from polymers that cross-link to form a strong, solid material. They're often used in food packaging and medical devices.
Bioplastics are still a relatively new technology, so they can be more expensive than regular plastics. But as production methods improve, that cost is likely to come down. In the meantime, we can all do our part by choosing bioplastic products over their traditional counterparts whenever possible.
By definition, the term bioplastic can be applied to any plastic material that is primarily derived from renewable organic materials, such as corn starch. Other biomass sources include milk, tapioca, and vegetable fats. Unlike conventional plastics— which are made through the distillation and polymerization of non-renewable petroleum reserves—bioplastics present us with ecological advantages that can help reduce pollution of natural ecosystems and shrink our energy footprint.
There are two main types of bioplastics: thermoplastic and thermoset.
• Thermoplastic Bioplastics..
• Thermoplastic bioplastics can be melted and reformed over and over again, making them ideal for things like plastic bags and water bottles..
• The most common type of thermoplastic is polylactic acid, or PLA. PLA is made from corn starch, sugar cane, or tapioca roots. It's often used to make compostable coffee cups, food packaging, and disposable cutlery..
• Other types of thermoplastic bioplastics include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polycaprolactone (PCL)..
• Thermoset Bioplastics.
• Thermoset bioplastics are made from polymers that cross-link to form a strong, solid material. They're often used in food packaging and medical devices. • One of the most common types of thermoset bioplastic is polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. PET is made from ethanol and terephthalic acid. It's frequently used to make water bottles, food containers, and packaging for electronics..
• Another type of thermoset bioplastic is compostable plastic made from cellulose acetate. Cellulose.
acetate is derived from wood pulp, so it's a renewable resource. It's often used to make things like compostable cutlery and food packaging.
No, not all bioplastics are compostable. In fact, compostability is just one of many potential end-of-life options for bioplastics. Others include recycling and incineration.
• The compostability of a material is determined by its ability to break dow n into carbon dioxide, w ater, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate similar to that of cellulose (a natural compound found in plants)..
• Green Smart Products w ill generally compost at home (backyar compost bins) in regular soil under moderate w eather conditions within a relatively short time frame. The compostability of some bioplastics can also depend on the composting systemitself. Industrial composting facilities have different requirements than backyard compost bins. Some compostable plastics w ill only degrade under specific composting conditions, such as high temperatures and humidity. Others w ill degrade quickly in any type of composting system. • Green Smart Products fully compost into carbon dioxide, biomass, and w ater..
• The term compostable refers to the ability of a material to break dow n into organic matter under specific aerobic or anaerIt seems like the answ er to this question should be a resounding “Yes!” After all, it w ould be easy to assume that anything “biobased” is inherently compostable. How ev er, this is simply not the case..
• The term biodegrade refers to the process by which microbes break dow n a material under suitable conditions. Technically speaking, all materials are degradable but w e typically only refer to those that degrade w ithin a relatively short period of time (less than a year) as “ biodegradable”. Because of this, not all bioplastics are considered biodegradable. In fact, bioplastics fall w ithin a few different categories based on their applicable end-of-life solution..
• Degradable: All plastics, including traditional petroleum-based plastics, are technically degradable. Given the right amount of time and environmental conditions, they w ill break dow n into tiny fragments. How ever, the materials used to make traditional plastics w ill never fully return to a “natural” state and w ill continue to pollute the environment w ith chemical compounds..
• Biodegradable: Unfortunately, the termbiodegradable has proven to be problematic because it often lacks clear information about the process requirements and timeframe required for biodegradation. In fact, to prevent consumers frombeing misled, California actually banned the us e of the w ord biodegradable for any plastics sold w ithin the state. Bioplastics that are considered “biodegradable” can be broken dow n by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae into w ater, carbon dioxide, methane, biomass, and inorganic compounds. For practical purposes, bioplastics that can be completely broken dow n within a few months are considered biodegradable. Bioplastics that biodegrade more slow ly (requiring up to a few years to be broken dow n) are referred to as “durable.”.
• Com postable: Compostable bioplastics can be broken dow n by microorganisms into nutrient-rich biomass in as little as three months and leavebehind no toxins or residue. Some compostable bioplastics require high temperatures to decompose and must be returned to commercial composting facilities, w hile others can be composted in home gardens. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a compostable, injection-molded bioplastic that is quickly replacing petroleum-based polymers for the production of food packaging and single-use items because it can be easily composted. PLA also produces 70% fewer greenhouse gases when it degrades in landfills. To be considered compostable, bioplastics must meet the ASTM D6400 standard for compostability.
Bioplastics can be used to replace any disposable item made from plastic, such as cutlery, packaging, and straws.
• Some bioplastics are compostable, while others must be recycled. Some are “biodegradable” while others break down almost as slowly as traditional plastics.
• It is important to understand which biobased material is best for your product before making a purchase.
• At Green Smart Plastics, we specialize in injection-molded bioplastics made in the USA that can be easily composted by consumers. It is our mission to create positive contributions to an upward trend in environmentally.
• When we refer to bioplastics, we’re addressing a large category of biobased polymers with a variety of unique attributes and applications. The list is always expanding as new materials are discovered.
• The most common bio-based plastics include:
• Starch-Based Bioplastics: Simple bioplastic derived from corn starch. They are often mixed with biodegradable polyesters.
• Cellulose-Based Bioplastics: Produced using cellulose esters and cellulose derivatives.
• Protein-Based Bioplastics: Produced using protein sources such as wheat gluten, casein, and milk.
• Aliphatic Polyesters: A collection of biobased polyesters including PHB (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate), PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), PHV (polyhydroxyvalerate), polyhydroxyhexanoate PHH, PLA (polylactic acid), polyamide 11 (PA11). They are all more or less sensitive to hydrolytic degradation and can be mixed with other compounds.
• Organic Polyethylene: Polyethylene that has been produced from the fermentation of raw agricultural materials like sugar cane and corn, rather than fossil fuels.
Bioplastics can be used to replace any disposable item made from plastic, such as cutlery, packaging, and straws.
• Some bioplastics are compostable, while others must be recycled. Some are “biodegradable” while others break down almost as slowly as traditional plastics.
• It is important to understand which biobased material is best for your product before making a purchase.
• At Green Smart Plastics, we specialize in injection-molded bioplastics made in the USA that can be easily composted by consumers. It is our mission to create positive contributions to an upward trend in environmentally.
• When we refer to bioplastics, we’re addressing a large category of biobased polymers with a variety of unique attributes and applications. The list is always expanding as new materials are discovered.
• The most common bio-based plastics include:
• Starch-Based Bioplastics: Simple bioplastic derived from corn starch. They are often mixed with biodegradable polyesters.
• Cellulose-Based Bioplastics: Produced using cellulose esters and cellulose derivatives.
• Protein-Based Bioplastics: Produced using protein sources such as wheat gluten, casein, and milk.
• Aliphatic Polyesters: A collection of biobased polyesters including PHB (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate), PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), PHV (polyhydroxyvalerate), polyhydroxyhexanoate PHH, PLA (polylactic acid), polyamide 11 (PA11). They are all more or less sensitive to hydrolytic degradation and can be mixed with other compounds.
• Organic Polyethylene: Polyethylene that has been produced from the fermentation of raw agricultural materials like sugar cane and corn, rather than fossil fuels.
If you’re looking for ways to make your products more eco-friendly, compostable bioplastics are a great option. Here at Green Smart Plastics, we specialize in injection-molded compostable bioplastics made in the USA. Our bioplastics can be composted by consumers, which diverted waste from landfills. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you make your products more eco-friendly,
• From home compostable, bioplastics to marine-degradable bioplastics, Green Smart Plastics, extrusion-blown compostables, are made here in the USA and can be composted almost everywhere by consumers who can help to divert this waste from landfills.
Contact us, today, to get information about our products.
• At Green Smart Plastics, our goal is to help our customers produce eco-friendly products that won’t contribute to the global plastic problem. We specialize in injection-molded bioplastics, made in the USA, that can be easily composted by consumers. It is our mission to create positive contributions to an upward trend in environmentally friendly product use and waste management.
• According to the EPA, the amount of waste diverted from landfills through proper composting methods has quadrupled since1990. Producing single-use products from compostable bioplastics will bring that number even higher. For example, industrial food composting sites have to diligently screen food debris for petroleum-based plastic cutlery. Compostable cutlery would eliminate this problem. In addition, the production of compostable bioplastics requires one-third of the energy required to make petroleum-based plastics.
• Compostable bioplastics have the potential to help solve the environmental issues surrounding our love of single-use plastic products. To find out more about how Green Smart Products can help you make the change to eco-friendly bioplastics, contact us today.
• PLA disintegrated faster than expected in the composting process.
• A remarkable result was that the compostable products made of polylactic acid (PLA) disintegrated faster than for instance orange peels or paper, and could not be recovered even after one composting cycle of 11 days. This was not only the case for tea bags, but also for the thicker plant pots.
• Based on all observations in this study the researchers conclude that compostable products which comply with the requirements in European standard EN 13432 disintegrate fast enough in Dutch GFT waste treatment systems. Nevertheless, the presence of conventional (non-compostable) plastics in GFT is a real problem for the Dutch biowaste treatment sector and needs to be solved.
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research studied how compostable plastics behave in the current Dutch system for the treatment of GFT.
• It came to the conclusion that compostable products can be processed well together with GFT, but conventional (non-compostable) plastics were found.
• A representative full-scale practical test was conducted at one of the facilities processing GFT in the Netherlands. The composition of various sieving fractions was investigated, including biowaste collection bags, plant pots, tea bags, coffee pads, coffee capsules, and fruit labels.
• They found that compostable products can be processed well together with GFT, and no compostable plastics were found in the final compost.
• However, they did find conventional (non-compostable) plastics in the sieved fractions of waste leaving the reactor.
• About 20% of biowaste leaving the reactor after a composting cycle was sufficiently small to be called compost. The largest sieving fraction consisted of slowly disintegrating biowaste which is normally recirculated in process and composted again. In this fraction, about 1% of plastics were found which consisted almost completely of conventional fossil-based plastics.
• Also, coarse sieving fraction consisted mainly of slowly disintegrating biowaste and contained mostly conventional fossil plastics with some residues of compostable bio waste-collection bags recovered. When these fractions are recirculated into the next composting cycle, it is plausible that conventional plastics will accumulate in residue.
