Plastics are widely used handicrafts of the 20th century, which are known as the most important and widely used materials in various industries due to their lightness, high flexibility and cheap price. Well, this sweet and useful story has a bitter side as well, the excessive use of common plastics, which are mainly produced from fossil fuels such as crude oil, has become a global problem that threatens the health of the environment.
The accumulation of plastic Garbage Bags in nature, greenhouse gas emissions and damage to ecosystems highlight the need to find more sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Biodegradable plastics are one of the solutions that have been introduced to protect the environment and replace conventional plastics.
But are these new plastics really the key to solving this complex mystery? Can they be a suitable alternative to prevent plastic pollution? Join us to get answers to the questions you have in mind.
Common plastics are synthetic materials consisting of long molecular chains called polymers. These polymers are mainly extracted from fossil sources such as crude oil, natural gas and coal. The molecular structure of ordinary plastic is such that they are highly resistant to natural decomposition processes; Therefore, they remain in the environment for hundreds of years and even more.
For example, consider a plastic water bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This bottle needs a long period of 450 to 1000 years to decompose in nature; But it takes about 20 years for a typical polyethylene plastic bag to decompose in nature.
The difference between plastics is in their molecular structure, and this difference determines the duration of their decomposition. Conventional plastics have become one of the biggest environmental problems due to their durability and high resistance to decomposition; Because its accumulation in the environment leads to soil and weather pollution and endangers the life of plants and animals.
But one of the ways to reduce the harmful effects of common plastics is to recycle plastic. In the plastic recycling process, used plastics are collected and after processing, new products are made from them.
Biodegradable plastic is a special type of polymer that is made naturally or synthetically. Unlike normal plastic, this type of plastic is decomposed by microorganisms under suitable environmental conditions. Biodegradable plastic turns into by-products such as nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, mineral salts, water and biomass due to bacterial decomposition.
The raw materials used in the manufacture of these plastics are mainly extracted from renewable sources such as corn starch, sugarcane, cellulose or vegetable oils. For example, polylactic acid (PLA) is produced from corn starch and is one of the most common types of biodegradable plastic.
The speed of decomposition of these types of plastics is different according to the type of raw material used in their construction and the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, presence of microorganisms) and the thickness of the plastic. In general, the process of decomposing a biodegradable plastic bag in industrial composting conditions takes about 3 to 6 months, while decomposing the same bag in normal environmental conditions will take 1 to 2 years.
Due to the increasing concerns about plastic pollution, the use of biodegradable plastics as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics will be an effective and efficient solution.
The presented table shows the main differences between biodegradable plastic and conventional plastic in terms of shelf life, decomposition conditions and the possibility of plastic recycling. Biodegradable plastics, with the ability to break down under suitable environmental conditions, are a more sustainable option than conventional plastics with a very long shelf life. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right type of plastic according to the conditions of use and environmental considerations.
Features | Biodegradable plastic | Normal plastic |
Durability | variable (a few months to a few years) | very high (hundreds of years) |
Decomposition conditions | Decomposable in industrial or home compost conditions | Requires special conditions (high temperature, UV light) |
The possibility of recycling | Some types are compostable or recyclable | Limited (some types of these plastics can be recycled.) |
As one of the most widely used materials in modern life, plastics have extensive environmental impacts. From soil and water pollution to greenhouse gas emissions, these substances pose serious challenges to environmental health. Next, in order to help preserve the health of the environment, we compare the effects of ordinary plastic with biodegradable plastic.
Biodegradable plastic and ordinary plastic both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and to choose one of them, one should pay attention to the type of application, environmental conditions, and economic considerations; However, our suggestion is that the development and use of biodegradable plastics can be an important step in reducing plastic pollution and preserving the environment.
Plastic type | benefits | Disadvantages |
Biodegradable plastic | Less environmental pollution, use of renewable resources, less carbon footprint | Higher price, less durability in some cases, need special conditions for decomposition |
Normal plastic | High durability, reasonable price, various applications | High environmental pollution, long shelf life, dependence on fossil fuels |
The future of biodegradable plastic is very promising due to the increasing environmental awareness and the growing trend of global demand for sustainable products. In recent years, we have seen a significant growth of investments in research and development in this field. According to the report of the European Bioplastic Industry Association, the production capacity of bioplastics in 2023 has increased by about 15% compared to 2022.
Therefore, with scientific advances and the use of new technology, it is expected that in the near future, biodegradable plastics with a more reasonable price, higher durability and the ability to decompose in various conditions and at a faster rate will be offered on the market.
Also, by developing and implementing international standards for biodegradable plastics, trust can help clarify the market, increase consumer confidence, and prevent false claims.
In this article, we introduced regular plastic and biodegradable plastic, and also examined the differences between plastics. Despite all the benefits they have for the environment, Nakhl Plast‘s biodegradable plastics are still in the early stages of their development. Its high prices are sometimes up to twice that of ordinary plastics, and it also has technical limitations for some applications, which makes it difficult to deal with challenges at the beginning of the journey.
But fortunately, with technological advances such as the use of nanocomposites to increase durability and increase public awareness in this field, the demand for biodegradable plastic packaging products has grown by 20% and has paved the way for the expansion of this industry.
Of course, to solve the plastic pollution crisis, relying only on biodegradable plastic is not enough. Reducing the consumption of ordinary plastic, increasing the rate of plastic recycling, which is currently below 10% in many countries, and proper waste management are among the most important and effective measures to maintain the health of the environment.
Regular plastic is made from petroleum and has a very stable molecular structure that resists natural decomposition. For this reason, it can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
This type of plastic is made from natural or renewable materials and breaks down into harmless substances under the right conditions, such as moisture, high temperatures, and microorganisms.
No, some only decompose in industrial compost and under controlled conditions and may persist in nature for longer.
Regular plastics cause long-term pollution and microplastics enter the food chain, while biodegradable plastics have much less environmental impact.
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the conditions of use, the type of product, and the availability of decomposition or recycling infrastructure.
In industrial composting conditions, between 3 and 6 months, and in nature, usually between 1 and 2 years, depending on the type of raw material and environmental conditions.
Some of them are compostable, but they usually need to be kept separate from regular plastic waste for the recycling or decomposition process to take place properly.
It is usually more expensive than regular plastic, but with increased production and technological advances, their prices are decreasing.
Yes, but depending on the type of material and storage conditions, it is more suitable for some products than others.
No, in addition to that, the overall consumption of plastic must be reduced, recycling must be increased, and proper waste management must be carried out.
