Plastics have become a staple in modern life, and while they provide convenience, they also create environmental problems. To solve this problem, bioplastics were developed using biomass such as corn starch. Bioplastics emit less carbon dioxide and degrade naturally, but there are also challenges, such as production and properties. For a sustainable future, we need to reduce the use of plastics and look for eco-friendly alternatives.
Plastics and our daily lives
How long can we live in the modern world without touching plastic? Our cell phones, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and the things we reach for first thing in the morning contain plastic. We’re so surrounded by plastic that it’s probably easier to count the number of times we’ve touched plastic than it is to count the number of times we’ve touched other materials. Plastics are now an integral part of our daily lives, and they have changed our lives dramatically. Lightweight, strong, and inexpensive, plastic is used in countless products and is extremely versatile.
The ubiquity of plastic in our lives has brought us many conveniences. Its versatility has made our lives easier and more efficient, but behind these benefits lies a serious environmental problem. Due to its cheap nature, plastic is often used once and thrown away rather than recycled. This discarded plastic has become a major source of environmental pollution due to its non-biodegradable nature. In particular, plastic garbage flows into the ocean, forming giant garbage islands and causing serious marine pollution. The process of disposing of these plastics also produces a lot of carbon dioxide, which has a negative impact on climate change.
The rise and promise of bioplastics
Bioplastics have emerged as an alternative to solve the plastic problem. Bioplastics are an alternative to petroleum-based plastics and have environmentally friendly properties. Bioplastics are plastics that are made from biomass, such as cornstarch or vegetable oil. Biomass includes both plants and the animals, microorganisms, and other living things that feed on them.
The most common bioplastic is polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is made from plant-based lactic acid, which is produced by fermenting starchy plants such as corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat using lactobacillus bacteria to produce lactic acid. The lactic acid is then heated at low pressure to convert it into lactide, which is polymerized to create PLA, a polymer. PLA can have a wide range of thermal and mechanical properties, which makes it versatile.
An advantage of bioplastics is that they emit less carbon dioxide than petroleum-based plastics. While plastic manufacturing typically produces a lot of carbon dioxide, bioplastics produce relatively little. For example, the carbon dioxide produced to make a single plastic garden chair can range from about 6 to 27 kilograms, while bioplastics emit only 1.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram. Bioplastics also have a smaller impact on global warming because they naturally degrade after use, contributing to the carbon cycle.
Challenges and the future of bioplastics
While bioplastics hold a lot of promise, there are also some challenges. Currently, production volumes are low, and there are concerns that it could exacerbate the problem of hunger by utilizing the food we eat. They also lack the heat resistance and strength to fully replace conventional plastics. However, with continued research and development, these issues will be addressed over time.
Bioplastics are still in their infancy, but with further research and development, they have the potential to become more efficient and environmentally friendly materials. We will need to reduce the use of plastic and utilize alternative materials, such as bioplastics, to address environmental issues. It’s everyone’s responsibility, and it’s essential for a sustainable future.
To solve the plastic problem, small individual actions can make a big difference. We need to make recycling a way of life and reduce our plastic use, and we need to develop innovative technologies with policy support from governments and companies. Together, our small actions and efforts will lead to a better environment.
In the end, we need to coexist with plastic to create a sustainable future. To do this, we will need to reduce the use of plastic, actively recycle, and promote the development and utilization of eco-friendly materials such as bioplastics. It’s time for all of us to work together for a sustainable future.
