25 Jun 2022  |   06:39am IST

‘Bioplastic’ is the option of the future

Rishabh Mishra

Plastic is not only dangerous for humans but also for nature and wildlife, but the use of plastic products is increasing day by day, making plastic pollution one of the most important environmental issues. Plastic pollution is highest in Asia and African countries. There is no effective system of garbage collection here. So at the same time, developed countries are also facing problems in collecting plastic waste.

Due to this plastic waste is increasing continuously. This specifically includes "single-use plastics" i.e. plastics that can be used only once, such as plastic bags, biscuits, straws, packets of snacks, milk, chips, chocolates etc. Plastic bottles, which seem quite convenient, are also dangerous for both the body and the environment. Millions of tonnes of these plastic wastes are thrown into the sea and open fields every day. Due to this, the aquatic life in the sea is being affected. Sea creatures are dying. Many species have become extinct. The fertility of the land is continuously decreasing. At the same time, plastic waste spreads everywhere and clogs the sewers and drains. In a country like India, hundreds of stray animals are dying every day due to eating plastic waste, while plastic is also causing cancer in humans. 

In view of this people are now accepting new types of plastics more and more widely as an alternative to traditional plastics, which are prepared from plants. Existing petroleum-based plastics are durable, lightweight and suitable for food, but they need to be phased out given their increasing role in climate change, waste, marine pollution, and poor air quality. Bioplastics are the main contenders to replace petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics refers to plastics made from other organic materials rather than petroleum. 

Bioplastics have a similar molecular structure and properties, but they are derived from natural resources such as plant-based starches, and vegetable oils. Conventional plastic is often not reused, it is burnt along with other solid waste. But PLA and PHA are bio-wastes, and they perish under favourable environmental conditions. Part of the carbon in petroleum-based plastics contributes to global warming, whereas bioplastics are climate-friendly and do not contribute to carbon emissions. The global production of bioplastics stood at around 2.4 million tonnes in 2021 and is expected to double to around 52 million tonnes in 2023. 

The production of bioplastics in large quantities could change land use globally. Due to this, the land of forest areas can be converted into cultivable land, which will prove helpful in absorbing more amount of carbon dioxide. With a production of about 4.5 million tonnes in the year 2021, PLA became one of the largest produced biodegradable polymers in the world. However, the biggest challenge before the new plastics industry which is all set to hit the market is cost and production. The price of PLA is still high, at around US$10 per kg. With increased production capacity and competition, prices are likely to come down. Similarly, new technologies will have to be thought of in the direction of making PHA more affordable, only then we will be able to find a new alternative to plastic in a big way

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