Utensils made from biodegradable plastic.

Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose in the natural environment. Biodegradation of plastics can be achieved by enabling microorganisms in the environment to metabolise the molecular structure of plastic films to produce an inert humus-like material that is less harmful to the environment. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 552 pixelsFull resolution (2548 × 1757 pixel, file size: 420 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Other versions Image:BiodegradablePlasticUtensils. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 552 pixelsFull resolution (2548 × 1757 pixel, file size: 420 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Other versions Image:BiodegradablePlasticUtensils. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Decomposition is the reduction of bodies and other formerly living organisms into simpler forms of matter; and most particularly to the fate of the body, after death. ... Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down by other living organisms. ... The term plastics covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic condensation or polymerization products that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or fibers. ... A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). ... Santorio Santorio (1561-1636) in his steelyard balance, from Ars de statica medecina, first published 1614 Metabolism (from μεταβολισμος (metabolismos)) is the biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

These are plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms.bio plastics are biodegradable plastics whose components are derived from renewable raw materials. The use of bio-active compounds compounded with swelling agents ensure that, when combined with heat and moisture, they expand the plastic's molecular structure and allow the bio-active compounds to metabolise and neutralize the plastic.

Advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable plastic

The advantage of biodegragable platics is that, in the proper conditions (sun, moisture, oxygen, etc), the plastics degrade to the point where organizms can digest them. This reduces problems with litter. Composting is a good methodology.

The disadvantage is that degradation occurs very slowly, if at all, in a sealed landfill. Also, biodegrable plastics cannot be mixed with other plastic sent for recycling: This damages the recycled plastic and reduces its value.

Mechanisms

Materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer are completely biodegradable. Fully biodegradable plastics are more expensive, partly because they are not widely enough produced to achieve large economies of scale. Economies of scale characterizes a production process in which an increase in the number of units produced causes a decrease in the average cost of each unit. ...

Other types are semi-biodegradable, but avoid increased costs by using existing manufacturing processes and are based mainly conventional non-biodegradable resins. These plastics can be manufactured to be clear or opaque, and in any color. A disadvantage of this approach is that the products of degradation of the conventional material will remain in the environment for years.

Environmental concerns

Over 200 million tonnes of plastic are manufactured annually around the world, according to the SPE^{[citation needed]}. Of those 200 million tons, 26 million are manufactured in the United States. The EPA reported in 2003 that only 5.8% of those 26 million tons of plastic waste are recycled, although this is increasing rapidly. The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and education for all plastics professionals. ... EPA redirects here. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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Cost of production

Two articles by T.Gerngross et al. in 1999^[1] and in 2000^[2] would be later widely cited, indicated that the energy required to produce one kilo of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer (by fermentation) from plants was equivalent to the consumption of 2.65 kg of fossil fuel while the production of one kilo of polypropylene required only 1.54 kg of fossil fuel.^[3] These balances include the energy required to produce the feedstock as well as the polymer.

Life cycle assessment data for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates from sugar cane (Brazil) was not mentioned in these studies. Manufacturing of PHAs by fermentation in Brazil enjoys a favorable energy consumption scheme where bagasse is used as source of renewable energy.^[4] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Technology to produce PHA is still in development, and energy consumption can also be further reduced by eliminating the fermentation step,^[5] or by utilizing food waste as feedstock.^[6]

Starch-based biopolymers (produced by various manufacturers) and polylactide (produced by NatureWorks in the US) require less fossil fuel than polymers from non-renewable sources^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Biodegradable waste
• Plastic bag
• Photodegradation

Rotting fruit Biodegradable waste is a waste type which comprises of waste streams that are available for biodegradation. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Photodegradation is degradation of a molecule caused by the absorption of photons, particularly those wavelengths found in sunlight, such as infrared radiation, visible light and ultraviolet light. ...

External links

• The European Bioplastics Association Information on Bioplastics and Biodegradable Polymers, Market Information
• bioplastics24.com News and market directory for the bioplastics industry

References

1. ^ T.Gerngross et al (1999) Nature Biotechnology,17, 541-544
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ Association of European Plastic Manufacturers
4. ^ PHB Industrial, Brazil
5. ^ Metabolix
6. ^ [2] Guocheng, Y. & Guocheng, D. (2002)