Carbon-zero Initiatives Gone Wrong: The Hidden Drawbacks of Bio-based Plastics

Scientists warn of the hidden drawbacks of bioplastic production following recent studies.

Amidst a worsening environmental situation, the Earth is becoming more and more polluted as we generate more plastic. Alarmingly, plastics are already poisoning species and upsetting ecosystems.

Thus, alternative Bio-based plastics were invented. Instead of traditional plastic production, bioplastics employ carbon taken from plants like corn or sugarcane and combined with other compounds, such as plasticizers, to create the plastic.

As many businesses have made the initiative to become more ecologically friendly, the problem of biodegradable plastics has come up frequently recently. However, when handled improperly, they could be a problem and create a new issue to deal with.

What Are Bio-based Plastics?

Bioplastics are typically made from PLA, or polylactic acid, which is typically made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava, or sugarcane, according to State of the Planet.

Corn kernels are submerged in sulfur dioxide and hot water to make plastic, where their components decompose into starch, protein, and fiber. Conveniently, it is edible, carbon neutral, and biodegradable, as it contains 20% or more renewable sources.

Meanwhile, traditional plastic is produced using petroleum-derived raw materials. Currently, bioplastics can be utilized in the non-disposable production of carpets, plastic pipes, phone casings, 3D printing, automobile insulation, and medical implants, in addition to disposable items like packaging, containers, straws, bags, and bottles.

Some of the advantages of bioplastic that are frequently highlighted are reduced dependency on fossil fuel supplies, a smaller carbon footprint, and speedier decomposition. In addition, bioplastic is less dangerous and free of bisphenol A (BPA), a substance that typically appears in traditional plastics and is known to disrupt hormones.

Environmental Cost of Bio-based Plastic Production

Beverage Daily reports that up until now, many people believe that bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics are a potential environmental solution and alternative to conventional plastic. However, the European Commission warns that such an initiative needs to be approached carefully in the production of Bio-based plastics.

Bio-based plastics may lead to a potential new issue for a number of reasons. To grow enough plants to replace conventional plastics would require an astonishing amount of land and water, in addition to the energy required to make and transport it all.

"Many of these crops are produced in intensive agricultural systems that use a lot of pesticides and herbicides and synthetic chemicals," According to Jānis Brizga, an environmental economist at the University of Latvia. "Most of them are also very, very dependent on fossil fuels."

Bioplastics can contain the same harmful ingredients that go into making traditional plastic, and they still have the potential to splinter into microscopic pieces that pollute the land, water, and air.

According to Wired, scientists and environmentalists agree that the only way to stop the crisis is to just stop producing too much plastic, regardless of its source of carbon, as switching to bioplastics could provide the industry with a justification to keep producing exponentially more polymers under the guise of "eco-friendliness".