by Ansh Motiani Petroleum-based plastic has been a daily part of human life for more than 70 years. It has brought convenience, protection, and is present is almost all aspects of our lives. It is in our phone cases, water bottles, toys, containers, the list goes on and on. However, it is now inflicting serious damage to the Earth. It has gotten to such a point that the toxic chemicals that leak out of plastic are found in the blood and tissue of nearly all of us, causing cancer, birth defects, and other ailments. The chemicals of plastic sitting in landfills, seep into the ground, contaminate the groundwater, and flow downstream into lakes and rivers. Plastic pollution also poses a major threat to wildlife. Often times, animals become entangled in plastic or mistake it for food and choke. Current figures estimate that there are currently about 150 million tons of plastic waste drifting through out oceans, rising about eight million tons each year, posing a severe threat to marine life. However, modern engineering and science has found what they think is a solution: biodegradable plastic. What is biodegradable plastic and how is it made?Biodegradable plastic is plastic that decomposes naturally in the environment. This is achieved as a result of when microorganisms metabolize and break down the structure of the plastic. Often, it is made of bio-plastics, which are plastics made from natural plant materials. These includes corn oil, orange peels, starch, and plants. The fabrication process begins with the melting of these plant materials. The mixture is then poured into molds of various shapes like water bottles or containers. Traditional vs Biodegradable PlasticTraditional plastics are made with chemical fillers that release toxic chemicals when they are melted down, but biodegradable plastic does not contain these chemicals and is entirely natural. After formation, regular plastics also hold carbon, methane, and other pollutants that are released when they begin to decompose or are melted. However, this is not the case with biodegradable plastics as they do not contain these polluting materials and are able to be broken down by naturally occurring bacteria. Essentially, biodegradable plastics are a great alternative to traditional environment polluting plastics. They do not harm the environment, yet still have the same function as traditional plastics. Drawbacks of Biodegradable PlasticUnfortunately, nothing's perfect, and like everything, biodegradable plastic does have its drawbacks. First of all, they do not decompose unless they are disposed of properly, meaning they would have to be treated, essentially, like compost. Natural breakdown simply would not occur if it was tossed into a landfill with other trash, forcing those that use this plastic to be mindful of where it is thrown away. In addition, some biodegradable materials contain small pieces of metal, causing concern. Scientists fear that when biodegradable plastics break down, those metals will be released into the environment, but to date, there is no evidence that this has caused any significant issues. Last, but not least, biodegradable plastics cost more than traditional plastics, about 1.5 cents per unit versus a 1.2 cents per unit. However, comparing this to the toll traditional plastics are taking on the environment, is the price that big of a deal? The benefits seem to outweigh the cons, but whether or not biodegradable plastics should replace traditional plastics is still up for debate. Biodegradable plastic in JapanJapan is making a switch to biodegradable plastics in an effort to combat marine plastic pollution. Among the various candidates, Japan's Michio Komatsu believes that the entirely plant based, biodegradable polylactic acid is the most ideal for future use as an eco-friendly plastic that is harmless and non-toxic. It's raw ingredients are starch and lactic acid bacteria extracted from plants, such as corn. It is able to be decomposed by microorganisms in the soil or seawater, and if disposed in compost, it will decompose to water and carbon dioxide in several months. Still, Komatsu says, development of the plastic has not been easy. It is expensive, has low heat resistance, and injection molding is difficult due to its poor fluidity. “Always short of funding, I managed to continue my research and development by applying for competitions. I kept persevering by holding on to the simple belief that we had to start using polylactic acid to begin combating pollution of the ocean,” explains Komatsu. Already, his technology is gaining popularity globally as "eco-friendly and safe for babies" and products are being exported throughout the world. As product development advances, the possibilities for the new plastic are rapidly expanding. Polylactic acid plastic from Japan may soon revolutionize the very concept of plastic. Michio Komatsu (left), the Director of Japan Society of Plastics Technology, with Takahiro Miwa (right) Sources:
http://www.pepctplastics.com/resources/connecticut-plastics-learning-center/biodegradable-plastics/ https://plasticpollutioncoalition.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/222813127-Why-is-plastic-harmful- https://www.japan.go.jp/tomodachi/2019/winter2019/new_biodegradable_material_reduces.html Images: https://www.amazon.com/Biodegradable-Plastic-Bags-Case-1000/dp/B00O55MWDY https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/ https://www.japan.go.jp/tomodachi/2019/winter2019/new_biodegradable_material_reduces.html
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AuthorsAnsh Motiani, Andrew Vittiglio, Charles Kirby, and Benjamin Yurovsky
Chernobyl Disaster
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April 2021
CategoriesEnvironmental Tech
Environmental Concerns Environmental History |