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A recent study discusses biodegradable
plastics (BDPs) as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging. It
investigates their advantages and the possibilities for waste management.
Over 67 million tonnes of packaging waste
is generated annually in the EU. The EU directive on Packaging and
Packaging Waste requires Member States to reduce waste and develop
recycling systems. Although the recycling of all types of packaging has
increased, rates remain low for most plastic packaging.
BDPs offer an alternative to traditional petrochemical-based plastic as
they can be disposed of by composting.
The study compares BDPs and conventional plastics. It classifies BDPs as
either bio-based or petrochemical-based. The former are renewable and
produced from natural origins such as plants, animals or micro-organisms,
e.g. natural rubber and polylactic acid (PLA) - a polyester derived from
corn starch or sugarcane. Petrochemical based BDPs are not renewable, but
some can have a certain amount of biodegradability. Examples include
polyvinyl alcohol and aliphatic polyesters.
Many commercial BDPs combine materials from both classes of plastic to
reduce cost and/or enhance performance. Current production of global BDPs
represents less than 0.2 per cent of traditional petrochemical-based
plastic. Despite their environmental benefits, the costs of BDPs are
higher than conventional plastics at about 2-5 Euro per kg. Conventional
plastics cost approximately 1.2 Euro per kg.
The study also examines waste management options for BDPs. In terms of
recycling, BDPs may cause complications in existing plastic recycling
systems because of their different properties. If incinerated, the
bio-based BDPs could be considered as a form of renewable energy, but
there is a lack of data on the actual heat energy produced by BDPs.
If BDPs degrade under anaerobic (airless) conditions in landfills, methane
will be produced - a powerful greenhouse gas. European policy is trying to
reduce the negative effects of landfill waste on the environment so
disposal of BDPs in landfill should be kept to a minimum.
Unlike conventional plastics, the majority of BDPs can be composted which
could divert waste from municipal collection systems. However, some BDPs
suitable for industrial composting are not suitable for home composting
because a high temperature period is needed to start the degradation.
The study cites a research project that classifies BDPs into fast, medium
and slow degraders in terms of how much mass they lose after 90 days of
home composting. The fast degraders are predominately made from high
levels of starch, the medium are based on wood or coconut fibres and the
slow degraders tend to be PLA or polypropenes with additives. The authors
suggest that it would be necessary to distinguish between different BDPs
for successful home composting. Labelling schemes could provide useful
guidance for the public.
Original Source:
SOURCE:
EU commission
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