The Near Future of Biodegradable Plastics: Progress and Challenges

Biodegradable plastics are a promising solution to the world's growing plastic waste problem. For nearly two decades, we have seen advancements in this field, with the first biodegradable plastics offering limited utility. Now, researchers are pushing the boundaries further to achieve fully biodegradable plastics with minimal side effects.

From Limited Utility to Promising Solutions

For the primary purpose of food packaging, non-biodegradable plastics are preferred because they need to provide a barrier to keep food safe from contaminants. However, for non-food uses, the situation changes. Many of these products are designed to have a one-to-five-year lifespan, and premature biodegradation based on local humidity could be problematic.

But the idea of biodegradable plastics is not new. These materials decompose by the action of living organisms, typically bacteria. Success in making plastic completely biodegradable with no side effects is still forthcoming, but significant progress has been made. Existing biodegradable plastics can fully decompose within three to six months, a drastic improvement over the several hundred years it takes for synthetic plastics to break down.

Understanding Biodegradable Plastics

There are misconceptions surrounding terms such as bioplastics, biodegradable, and compostable. Biodegradable plastics, while decomposing within decades or centuries, do not completely turn into harmless waste. True compostable materials, on the other hand, turn almost entirely into benign waste within a few months in a composter. This difference in definitions makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.

The Transformation of Plastic

Plastic is the result of pumping vast amounts of energy into chemical constituents that occur in nature, primarily crude oil derivatives. These derivatives are derived from biological materials subjected to billions of Mega Joules of energy over millions of years. The transformation into plastics is, indeed, an irreversible process.

Attempts by scientists to reverse this process—restoring the original biological constituents through unimaginably high energy—remain unfeasible with current technology. In the current scenario, the answer to the question of achieving fully biodegradable plastics with no side effects is probably no.

However, the journey towards sustainable alternatives is ongoing. New innovations in materials science, combined with advancements in recycling and composting technologies, are paving the way for a more eco-friendly future. As we move forward, it is crucial to promote awareness among consumers about the differences between biodegradable, bioplastic, and compostable materials to foster positive environmental choices.

Conclusion: The future belongs to biodegradable plastics, but challenges remain. Continued research and development are essential to overcome these challenges and bring us closer to a sustainable solution. As consumers, we have a role to play in making informed choices and supporting the transition to a greener world.