What is Bioplastics?
Bioplastics are the bio
based plastics produced from renewable resources like corn starch, pea starch,
vegetable fats and oils. On the other hand, conventional plastics or fossil
fuel plastics are produced from petroleum. Conventional plastics create more
greenhouse gas which is very dangerous for our environment.
Petroleum is very
limited resource in the earth. It becomes expensive day by day. One day, this
resource will be finished. During burning petroleum products like plastics,
carbon is emitted and it causes the climate change. Conventional plastics are
harmful by-products and chemicals. In this situation, bioplastics can offer an
alternative solution. Sugarcane ethanol is a significant substitute of
petroleum in the production of plastic. These bioplastics contain same physical
and chemical properties like conventional plastic. They also maintain full
recycling capabilities.
Applications of
Bioplastics
Bioplastics are used in
packaging items. They are also used in the items like bowls, pots, cutlery,
crockery, straws, trays, bags, bottles for soft drinks and dairy products as
well as containers for eggs, fruits and vegetables. Other applications include
fuel line and plastic pipe applications, carpet fibers, car interiors
and casings of cell phones.
Benefits of Bioplastics
- Bioplastics producing component
like sugarcane polyethylene substitutes 25 percent or more of the
petroleum which is very significant for our environment indeed.
- In order to produce
bioplastics, less than half the energy is required in comparison to the
production of conventional plastics. So, using the same amount of energy,
we can produce twice the amount of biodegradable packaging and bags.
- Bioplastics are safe.There is
no chemical or toxin in bioplastics.
- It can be composted locally
into a soil amendment.
- Maximizing the use of
bioplastics contributes to minimize the dependency on fossil fuel which is
very significant.
Prospects of Bioplastics
Bioplastics are
gradually appearing as a promising substitute of conventional
plastics. Now, they are playing a significant role for a modern and
forward looking plastics industry in the context of environment as well as
economic development. Bioplastics are rapidly growing industry. In order to
meet the highest standard, bioplastics technology is upgrading rapidly. Still,
there is the scope to develop this technology for the betterment of plastic
industry. Instead of utilizing edible resources, effective research
development is taking place utilizing inedible organic waste resources as well
as giving the products more solidity and functionality. As a result,
application areas of bioplastics are expanding very rapidly with good
prospects.
Do u consider bio plastic as green product.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question. Bio plastics comparatively require very little fossil fuel and have very lower impact on global warming. Using cellulose sources of biomass like corn stalks, grasses and woody plant parts during production of bio plastics would be significant example of considering bio plastics considerably green products.
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