Bioplastics

According to an estimate more than 100 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year all over the world!! We all are aware of this environmental nuisance called Plastics. While plastics being so versatile replace all possible materials the inquisitiveness needs to be drawn towards alternative plastics and thus flamboyantly Bioplastics introduces itself reaching millions of people in its subtle ways especially in the packaging industry, known as biopackaging and also as disposable objects. Europe already has 60% of the bioplastics market and Japan is busy to match up the competition.
Bioplastics are the green plastics since these are derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn, pea starch, vegetable oil and say a n0 n0 to fossil fuels that are used for producing plastics. The difference is self explanatory that since the latter fossils are literally impossible to degrade completely, the bioplastics are not a waste of material nor are they a problem to degrade while nature takes care of them. Moreover Unlike traditional plastics and biodegradable plastics, bioplastics generally do not produce a net increase in carbon dioxide gas when they break down (because the plants that were used to make them absorbed the same amount of carbon dioxide to begin with).
The options for Bioplastics in term of usage can range from catering items such as crockery, cutlery, bowls, straws to packaging materials for vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat or may even be used for organic waste bags where they can be composted together with the food or green waste, thus adding to the compost. With the endless research efforts to encourage its potential, bioplastics are being designed for electro active capability to carry electrical current and these can also be used in carpet fibers, car interiors, fuel lines and plastic pipes too, ofcourse these wouldn’t degrade, but the sources would be the same renewable.
These plastics can be produced from various sources such as starch that is most commonly used and are a boon in the production of drugs. Cane sugar or glucose are utilized for PLA or the transparent plastics that can be used in the production of foils , tins, cups, bottles etc. Polyamide 11 used PA 11 for its thermal resistance is produced from natural oils. The applications can broaden from high-performance applications like automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, electrical cable anti-termite sheathing, flexible oil & gas pipes, control fluid umbilicals, sports shoes, electronic device components, and catheters.
COPA (Committee of Agricultural Organisation in the European Union) and COGEGA (General Committee for the Agricultural Cooperation in the European Union) according to their assessment of the potential demand of bioplastics in different sectors of the European economy estimate 450,000 tonnes in the catering products per year, Organic waste bags can demand 100,000 tonnes of bioplastics per year, Diapers that are 100% biodegradable can demand as much as 240,000 tonnes per year while Vegetable packaging can account up to 400,000 tonnes per year and Tyre components might demand as much as 200,000 tonnes per year!!
To deal with the already produced plastics, they may be recycled and materials like used milk bottles) could be turned into new ones such as items of clothing. A product called ecoplastic is sold as a replacement for wood for use in outdoor garden furniture and fence posts and is Made from high-molecular polyethylene that guarantees long lasting and cheap alternative.
An estimate of 200,000 barrels of oil are used each day to make plastic packaging for the United States alone!! Its time to deal with the plastics problem and may be just denying a plastic bag by carrying a bag on your own every time we shop can help us discourage the use of plastics just to remember the wise saying Prevention is better than cure.