Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet today. The widespread use and improper disposal of conventional plastics has resulted in millions of tonnes of plastic waste clogging our oceans, waterways and landscapes every year. However, a new class of plastics called bioplastics is emerging as a potential solution to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel-based plastics and curb plastic pollution.

What are Bioplastics?
Bioplastics, also known as bio-based plastics, are a type of plastics that are either biodegradable or made from renewable feedstocks such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, pea starch or microbiota. There are mainly two types of bioplastics:

Biodegradable Plastics
Biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) are plant-based plastics that can break down and decompose when exposed to oxygen, sunlight or micro-organisms like bacteria. PLA is made from fermented plant starches like cornstarch or sugarcane. Other biodegradable plastics include polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). These plastics take a few months to a few years to fully decompose depending on environmental conditions.

Bio-based Plastics
Bio-Based Plastics such as bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) and bio-polypropylene (bio-PP) are produced from renewable feedstock like plant oils, however, they are not inherently biodegradable. While these plastics have low environmental impact during production, they do not break down after disposal and behave like regular plastics in the environment. For these plastics to degrade, commercial composting is required.

Advantages of Bioplastics
There are several environmental and economic advantages of bioplastics that make them an attractive alternative to traditional plastics:

Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels
Unlike traditional plastics which are derived from non-renewable petrochemicals, bioplastics are produced from renewable biomass sources like agricultural byproducts and organic waste. This reduces our dependence on limited fossil fuel reserves which are the main raw material for conventional plastics.

Lower Carbon Emissions
The production of bioplastics results in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel-based plastics. Studies have shown PLA production emits 69% less carbon than petroleum-based plastics like PET.

Biodegradability
Biodegradable bioplastics like PLA and PBS provide an environmentally-friendly solution for disposable plastic products since they break down at the end of their use into non-toxic elements. They help reduce long-term plastic waste burden on the environment.

Supports Sustainable Agriculture
Bioplastics production encourages the use of non-food biomass feedstock from agricultural and forestry waste. This supports the creation of an alternative market for biomass that helps farmers generate additional income in a sustainable manner.

Potential Barriers to Wide Adoption of Bioplastics
Despite various advantages, bioplastics currently only make up a small fraction of the global plastics market mainly due to some key barriers:

Higher Production Costs
The production costs of most bioplastics are higher than conventional plastics since biomass feedstock prices are higher than crude oil. However, advances in technologies are bringing down costs. Mass production can further narrow the price gap.

Limitations in Properties and Performance
Many bioplastics have properties inferior or different than traditional plastics which restricts their end uses. For example, PLA is brittle and degrades rapidly at high temperatures limiting its use in hot fill containers. Extensive R&D is needed to improve properties.

Lack of End-of-Life Infrastructure
Since most cities and countries lack separate collection and recycling streams for compostable bioplastics, it creates confusion among citizens. Mixing compostable plastics with regular ones can degrade their biodegradability. Specific disposal systems are required for effective bioplastic waste management.

Consumer Perception and Awareness
Many consumers remain unaware of the environmental benefits of bioplastics and confuse biodegradable and compostable labels. Without demand, businesses have less incentive to switch to bioplastic packaging. More public outreach is needed to educate people.

Standardization of Certification
Voluntary standards and certifications for biodegradation rates under standardized conditions can help alleviate confusion. Global harmonization of standards through bodies like ASTM and ISO is still ongoing.

Looking Ahead
While bioplastics have made tremendous progress in their short history and commercial production is rising globally, a lot more needs to be done to maximize their potential. Concerted efforts from government, industry and research institutes will be key to address existing challenges and accelerate the transition from fossil fuel-based plastics to earth-friendly bioplastics. With growing awareness around sustainability, bioplastics appear well-positioned for significant market growth in the coming decade. Collaborative efforts and responsible consumption hold the key to displacing billions of tonnes of plastic waste with bioplastic alternatives.

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