The Real Impact of Bioplastics

The Real Impact of Bioplastics and Biodegradation Options

Sustainability is a crucial focus for plastic manufacturers worldwide. One study estimated that nearly 8,660 million metric tons of plastic had been produced by 2018, leading to waste accumulation and environmental impacts. 

To address this, major plastics manufacturers around the world are turning to biodegradable plastics to reduce environmental effects. Recent developments in bioplastics technology have spurred the development of new options, such as non-petroleum-based bioplastics, naturally biodegradable plastics, and biodegradable plastic additives. 

Learn about these modern bioplastics and biodegradable technologies that can help your company combat plastic pollution and create a more sustainable world.

What are Bioplastics?

Bioplastic is a plastic material made primarily of renewable biomass, such as corn starch, woodchips, sawdust, algae, or vegetable oils. This renewable nature distinguishes them from standard plastics, which are traditionally manufactured from fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas.

Bioplastics reduce reliance on petroleum while allowing companies to produce plastic materials that are either identical or similar to their fossil fuel-based equivalents. These materials are typically grouped into two categories: bio-based and biodegradable plastics. 

A bioplastic is considered bio-based if one of its major ingredients is renewable. Some bioplastic solutions fall into both categories and are referred to as bio-based biodegradable plastics. Below are examples in each category:

Bio-based non-biodegradable plastics

  • Bio-based polyethylene (Bio-PE). Made from ethanol, typically derived from sugar cane, beet, or wheat.

  • Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET). Made primarily from a resin derived from sugar manufacturing leftovers.

  • Bio-nylon. Manufactured from renewable oils, such as castor plant oil.

Biodegradable non-bio-based plastics

  • Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). A typically petroleum-based plastic designed to biodegrade quickly in industrial composting settings.

  • Polybutylene succinate (PBS). A petroleum-based plastic is designed to break down in the environment through microbial action.

  • Traditional plastics with biodegradable additives. Standard plastic materials, like PE, PP, PVC, HDPE, or LDPE, can be treated at the manufacturing plant with a plastic additive like Pristine to enhance their biodegradability.

Bio-based biodegradable plastics

  • Polylactic Acid (PLA). A plastic material produced primarily from fermented corn starch, and can biodegrade in industrial composting settings.

  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Produced by microbial fermentation of plant-derived sugars, designed to biodegrade in the soil and marine environments.

  • Polyglycolic Acid (PGA). Synthesized from glycolic acid, biodegrades in high-moisture environments.

Misconceptions About the Effects on the Environment

Although bioplastic companies worldwide have produced many bio-based or biodegradable plastics, traditional plastics like PP, PET, and PVC remain dominant on the market. This is often due to misconceptions regarding the role of bioplastics and their effects on the environment. Common myths include:

  • Bioplastics are always biodegradable. Although it is a common belief, bioplastics aren’t all biodegradable. For instance, bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) has an identical chemical structure to standard PE, including biodegradability rates. Improperly disposing of bio-PE items, such as bottles, plastic bags, or toys, has a similar environmental impact to the improper disposal of traditional PE.

  • All bioplastics use 100% renewable resources. While most bioplastics use biomass in construction, few are manufactured entirely from biomass. The vast majority of plastic solutions referred to as “bio-based” available today are only partially bio-based.
    For example, bio-PET requires two ingredients: ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. While most bio-PET formulations use ethylene glycol derived from corn starch or sugarcane, the terephthalic acid comes from petrochemical sources like paraxylene (p-Xylene), derived from crude oil. This indicates that “bio-based” plastics can still contain fossil fuel-based components in their construction and that their production can still harm the environment.

  • Biodegradable plastics can safely degrade in any environment. While some bioplastics are engineered to be biodegradable, the conditions in which the biodegradation process occurs vary. For example, polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-based, biodegradable plastic, is only designed to biodegrade quickly in industrial composting settings. 

Disposal in marine environments instead contributes to plastic pollution and the formation of microplastics. Studies have shown that certain species of fish are at risk of ingesting PLA microplastics, which can threaten their health.

What is Biodegradation?

Biodegradation is a natural process where microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break down and consume matter. Biodegradation occurs in three phases: deterioration, fragmentation, and assimilation:

  • Biodeterioration: In nature, microorganisms stick to the surface of discarded matter and produce enzymes that gradually weather and weaken its structure. At this point, these microorganisms may destroy or digest coatings and surface compounds on plastic materials, such as plasticizers.

  • Biofragmentation: Once a material has deteriorated enough, the enzymes produced by microorganisms cause it to fragment and break down into smaller pieces. With regular organic matter, this step is necessary to create pieces small enough for ingestion and assimilation. 

    With plastic materials, the process of biofragmentation typically results in the formation of microplastics. Plastic materials not designed or treated to biodegrade may not break down further beyond this point, contributing to plastic pollution.

  • Assimilation: Organic matter and plastics designed or treated to fully biodegrade are eventually assimilated by microorganisms. They are ingested and converted into energy, turning them into a food source. Once assimilated, the microorganisms produce waste, typically in the form of water, carbon dioxide, or methane, depending on the environment.

Pristine is the Best Solution for Plastic Biodegradation

Pristine, LLC, has developed an independently tested, efficient solution that addresses the most common problems with other biodegradable plastics. Here’s why the Pristine® plastic additive is the best solution for plastic biodegradation:

  • Turns traditional plastics into biodegradable materials. Pristine® additives are formulated for compatibility with the world’s most common non-bio-based plastics, including PP, PVC, PET, HDPE, LDPE, EPDL, nylons, styrenes, and olefins. No need to retool or produce a bespoke bioplastic material; Pristine® works with existing materials and production facilities.

  • Biodegrades in numerous environments. Pristine® has been tested by independent third parties using ASTM testing methods, and it is recognized and accepted worldwide. Pristine® enhances the biodegradation rate of traditional plastics, allowing them to biodegrade and compost in landfills and marine environments. It ensures that, if recycling is not an option, plastic materials no longer remain in the environment indefinitely.

  • No loss in performance. Plastic materials treated with Pristine® lose none of their original qualities. They remain as durable, versatile, easy to process, and cost-efficient to produce as you’d expect.

Contact Pristine® to Support the Environment

Pristine®’s mission is to contribute to sustainability and make a positive difference for our planet and its future. Contact Pristine® for the leading plastic additive that ensures efficient biodegradation of plastic in standard landfills, compost sites, and marine environments.

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