Bioplastics is general term for biobased plastic and biodegradable plastic.
a. Biobased plastic: Unlike traditional plastic, biobased plastic is derived from renewable resources, such as sugar, starch, vegetable oil, cellulose, etc. Among them, corn, sugar cane, grain and wood are the most common raw materials.
b. Biodegradable plastic: Either under the conditions of nature, soil, sand, etc. or the conditions of compost, anaerobic digestion, water-based culture medium, etc., microorganism from nature functions and causes the biodegradation. When the biodegradation is finished finally, it turns into carbon dioxide, water, elements-contained mineralized inorganic salt and new biobased plastic.
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|
Renewable |
Compostable |
Water Consumption(g) |
Energy Consumption (kcal) |
Air Pollutants(g) |
Water Pollutants(g) |
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|
CO2 |
SOX |
NOX |
BOD |
COD |
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|
Plastic Bag |
× |
× |
30.9 |
14.895 |
42.15 |
0.057 |
0.0195 |
— |
0.0804 |
|
Compostable Bag |
√ |
√ |
13.8 |
7.95 |
28.2 |
— |
— |
0.0315 |
0.0555 |
|
Paper Bag |
√ |
√ |
3465 |
189 |
74.85 |
0.189 |
0.306 |
0.075 |
0.195 |
|
Cons of Plastic Bag |
Chemicals used in manufacturing process Petroleum sourcing to produce plastic is an invasion on the Earth. Often mistaken for food by small animals and sea life. Incineration produces harmful carcinogenic gases ＆ residue which harm land, water,animals ＆humans |
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Cons of Compostable Bag |
Compostable bags are not suited to recycling. Limited shelf life. Is slightly more expensive than petroleum based products. |
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Cons of Paper Bag |
Fossil fuels are burned to manufacture a paper bag adding 70% more air pollution than the manufacturing of a plastic bag. Take 10X more energy to produce a paper bag over a plastic bag One gallon of water is required to produce one paper bag The regeneration time of trees is slow –once cut will take years to grow back. |
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