A.L. Kelebit
Student’s Name: Amanda Libbie Kelebit
Matrix Number: 2009060149
Major Course: Bsc. Mechanical Engineering
Subject’s Code: BIO 121
School’s Name: Technology Technology Park Par k Malaysia College
Lecturer’s Name: Miss Kok Yih Yih Date of Submission: 6th August 2009
Biodegradable Plastics 1
A.L. Kelebit
Introductory
Plas Plastic ticss desi design gned ed to degr degrad adee comp compara arativ tively ely quick quickly ly incl includ udee oxooxo-de degr grad adab able le and and UV degradable polymers that break down when exposed to oxygen or light respectivel y. .
To qualify as bio-degradable, however, this degradation has to happen, at least in part, due to cell mediated phenomena or microorganisms. As a result the polymer is eventually reduced to water, carbon dioxide, biomass and possibly methane.
To be considered as compostable it must meet some strict criteria as defined in national and international standards:
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Biodegrade: break down into carbon dioxide, water and bio mass.
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Disintegrate; after three months composting and subsequent sifting through a 2 mm sieve no more than 10% residue may remain.
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Eco toxicity: the bio-degradation does not produce any toxic material and the compost can sustain plant growth.
Content
What is a biodegradable plastic?
Firstly, it is an environmental-friendly plastic. It does not cause any harm or destruction to our environment. Secondly, it can be decompose, unlike typical and standard plastics. For example, they can easily decompose in natural environments such as composting and landfill environments. Thirdly, it would not harm human’s health when these plastic decompose into the soil.
What does science say about biodegradable plastic? 2
A.L. Kelebit
Biod Biodeg egrad radab able le plas plastic tic is a plas plastic tic that that deco decomp mpos osee in natu natural ral envi enviro ronm nmen ent; t; aerob aerobic ic (composting) and anaerobic (landfill) environment. It is a durable and degradable plastic. Biodegradable plastics typically are produced in two forms: injection molded (solid, 3D shapes), typically in the form of disposable food service items, and films, typically sold as collection bags for leaves and grass trimmings, and agricultural mulch. In the United States, States, ASTM International is the authoritative body for defining biodegradable standards. standards. The current current ASTM standards standards are defined defined as standard standard specification specificationss and standard test methods. Standard specifications create a pass or fail scenario whereas standard test methods identify the specific testing parameters for facilitating specific biodegradable tests on plastics. What are the applications and uses of biodegradable plastics?
Biod Biodeg egra rada dabl blee plas plasti tics cs are are a new new gene genera rati tion on of poly polyme mers rsem emer ergi ging ng in the the mark market et.. Biodegradable plastics have an expanding range of potential applications, and are driven by the growing use of plastics in packaging and the perception that biodegradable plastics are 'envir 'environm onment entally ally friendl friendly' y',, their their use use is predic predicted ted to increas increase. e. Howeve However, r, issues issues are also also emerging regarding the use of biodegradable plastics and their potential impacts on the environment and effects on established recycling re cycling systems and technologies.
Why does biodegradable plastic differ from other plastic?
There are a lot of different plastics with different properties, but the main reason plastics are non-biodegradable is because the chains of molecules called polymers that make up the plastic are too long and the bonds between the molecules are very strong to be broken down. So they they will will even eventu tual ally ly be brok broken en down down,, but but it take takess a lot lot long longer er than than biod biodeg egra rada dabl blee materials.
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A.L. Kelebit
What are the advantages of using biodegradable plastics? 1. Bioplastics Are Renewable
Bioplastics are made from biomass, and are green biodegradable plastics which are made from renewabl renewablee sourc sources. es. Biomas Biomasss is organi organicc matter matter that that breaks breaks down, and there there is an abundant supply of it all around the world. This includes grass, trees, other plants, and all other organic materials that decompose, including animal meats, fats, and other tissues. There will always be organic material growing and breaking down, and that makes bioplastics a product that is renewable. 2. Biodegradable Plastics Break Down Faster
Biodegradable plastics and green biodegradable products break down much faster once they are discarded, if they are not recycled instead. This means that the plastic is absorbed back into the earth as the components, so that there are not tons of plastic laying in the landfills, taking decades decades or longer longer to break down. Non biodegradabl biodegradablee plastic can also pose a threat to wildlife and marine life if discarded improperly, and using biodegradable materials instead can minimize this threat and protect the fish and animals. 3. Biodegradable Plastics Are More Environmentally Environmentally Friendly
Bioplastics are much friendlier to the environment, in part because there is no destruction to the earth recovering fossil fuels and in part because there are very few harmful carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases being released. These plastics break down faster so they have a much shorter effect on the earth, and they will degrade completely. Normal plastics are manufactured using oil, and this process is very harmful to the environment by polluting the air and environment, but this is not the case with green biodegradable plastics. Using green plastics will minimize the effects that these products have on the earth, and help eliminate their waste much faster. 4. Bioplastics Can Be Recycled Easier 4
A.L. Kelebit
Biodegradable plastics are made from biodegradable from biodegradable materials, materials, which will break down faster than petroleum based plastics that are not biodegradable. This means that these plastics can be recycled much faster and easier, using a lot less energy in the process. Recycling is the key to preventing more waste in the future, and bioplastics can be broken down and reused more effecti effectively vely and more more efficie efficientl ntly y than than non biodegradab biodegradable le plastics plastics,, giving them a definite advantage in this area. 5. Producing Bioplastics Requires Less Energy
During production bioplastics require less than half of the energy that non biodegradable plastics require to produce, meaning that twice as much biodegradable plastic can be made with the same amount of energy. This gives green biodegradable plastic a distinct advantage over petroleum based plastics, plastics, and makes it a much greener and energy conservative conservative choice when comparing the two. 6. Bioplastics Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence
Using bioplastics will reduce the dependence that the entire country has on foreign countries and fossil fuels. Much of the oil used to make traditional plastics comes from Middle Eastern countries, and these countries are ar e not always friendly to Americans.
7. Biodegradable Plastics Are Not Toxic
Bioplastics Bioplastics are very safe, and they contain no toxins at all. With traditional traditional plastics harmful chemicals and byproducts can be released during the breakdown and decay period, but this is not the case with plastic that is biodegradable. This all natural plastic brea ks down harmlessly and is absorbed back into the earth. There is no chemical leaching into rain water or the ground to threaten the health and safety of people or animals nearby.
What are the disadvantages of using biodegradable plastics?
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A.L. Kelebit
Unde Underr prop proper er cond condit itio ions ns biod biodeg egra rada dabl blee plas plasti tics cs can can degr degrad adee to the the poin pointt wher wheree microorganisms can metabolise them. Degradation of oil of oil-based -based biodegradable biodegradable plastics may release of previously stored carbon as carbon dioxide. Starch-based Starch-based bioplastics bioplastics produced from sustainable farming methods can be almost carbon neutral but could have a damaging effect on soil, water usage and quality, and result in higher food prices.
Where can we find these biodegradable plastic in the world?
We can find these biodegradable plastics in any store that subscribe and sell these things. But usually, if we buy online, it would be cheaper. The famous online store for this would be Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com. Most of the biodegradable biodegradable plastics that sell through internet service would be from China (mainland) and Hong Kong.
When did these biodegradable plastics start being use?
Although plastics have had a remarkable impact on our culture, it has become increasingly obvious that there is a price to be paid for their use.
It first arose in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The plastics industry managed to fend off trouble by launching a massive public-education campaign.
By the late 1960s, plastics were increasingly incre asingly seen as a symbol of an outdated 1950s consumer cultur culture. e.
The term "plastic" "plastic" became became an insult insult,, used used to describe describe someon someonee though thoughtt of as
soulless. Plastic was almost too good, as it was durable and degraded very very slowly. slowly. In some cases, burning it could release toxic fumes. There was also the problem that manufacturing plastics often created large quantities of nasty chemical pollutants, and depleted the Earth's bounded supply of fossil fuels. 6
A.L. Kelebit
Conclusion
We can help by use less l ess plastic and use more biodegradable plastic. As we do so, we can save enviro environme nment nt from from being being destroy destroyed ed but unneed unneeded ed chemical chemical subst substance ances. s. Soon, Soon, the use use of biodegradable plastics will be globalised and people should take more attention to it by support any programme regarding biodegradable plastics.
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