Bioplastics are an emerging technology and an exciting solution to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Bio-based polymers are made from renewable biological sources like starch, sugar, cellulose and vegetable oil. Standard plastics, like PET, PP and HDPE, can be made from bio-based sources and, critically, they are identical on a molecular level to those same polymers made from fossil fuels.
Creating plastic from renewable sources is a key step in achieving circularity. Ideally, materials are diverted from landfills to recirculate in our economy, by recycling and reuse. Recycling infrastructure must be accessible to accomplish this goal. The remaining demand for virgin-grade materials could be met by plastics derived from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels. Thus, bioplastics that are recyclable at end of life, such as bio-based PET, can enable a more circular system from cradle-to-grave.
Some bio-based plastics are compostable or biodegradable. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is currently the most well-known and commonly used bioplastic. It is compostable in specific industrial composting conditions and is frequently used in plastic foodservice packaging like drink cups, lids and cutlery. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF) are additional bio-based polymers that can provide enhanced compostability and performance. Consumer access to industrial composting sites that accept packaging items must continue to grow for compostable polymers to reach their potential.
The global production capacity of bioplastics is projected to expand significantly in anticipation of increased market demand. Yet the transition to bioplastics may require organizations to accept certain trade-offs. For instance, bioplastics require a higher investment because they are currently less cost-effective than conventional polymers. Furthermore, bioplastics tend to have greater water usage across their lifecycle given the water required to grow crops used as source material. Another consideration is land use, in terms of potential impact on both the food supply chain and biodiversity. The overall impact on greenhouse gas generation compared to fossil fuel sources is under debate. Growing and harvesting bio-based feedstocks requires agriculture equipment currently dependent on fossil fuel sources. However, these crops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. Sustainable agriculture practices will be crucial to minimize these drawbacks as bio-based plastic production scales up.
When considering bioplastic packaging, decisionmakers should consider how the benefits and trade-offs align with their organization’s sustainability goals and the needs of their consumers. A holistic life cycle assessment will help organizations understand the full impact of a transition to bioplastics.
About the Author:
Zach Muscato is the Corporate Sustainability Manager for Plastic Ingenuity, a leading custom thermoformer based in Madison, Wisconsin, where he is responsible for helping packaging professionals realize their sustainability goals. Zach has dedicated his 20-year career to the thermoformed packaging industry with roles ranging from product development to commercial sales.