Statistics of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report that the world produces 430 million metric tons of plastic per year and only 9 percent of these are recycled when they become waste. biodegradable plastic is a promising solution, he said. Hiroko Tabuchi in an article published by The New York Times.
The journalist specializing in climate and environment stresses that the biodegradable plastic is emerging as an innovative solution in the fight against environmental contaminationand scientists around the world are at the forefront of its development.
However, it cautions against the false belief that biodegradable plastics that are already on the market have no environmental impact.
"Many biodegradable plastics do disintegrate, but only under certain conditions. One of the most common compounds is a polymer known as PLA, which stands for polylactic acid, or lactic polyacid, and it biodegrades in an industrial composting environment," he stresses.
The problem, he points out, is that almost no place in United States industrial composting, which means that it is highly likely that the PLA that is discarded ends up in landfills, rivers, streams or the ocean, or is even burned and thus releases toxic chemicals and gases into the environment that warm the planet.
We are working on solutions
The world is sinking in plastic, so innovative solutions are needed in the fight against plastic waste. environmental contamination.
Fortunately, such solutions may be close at hand. Among the pioneers in this revolution is the team at George W. Huber in the University of Wisconsin-Madisonwho are creating a new type of plastic from a new type of plastic. ears of corn which biodegrades easily.
"It could replace polyethylene, which is widely used in packaging, but reducing production costs is still a challenge," Tabuchi notes in his article.
In the University of California, Davis campusthe teacher Ruihong Zhang is also making significant advances. Zhang is working on a plastic made from by-products of cheese wastewhich biodegrades more easily in the environment.
This type of innovation would not only decrease the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills, but would also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
"Basically, we are trying to solve the waste problem and reduce emissions at the same time," Zhang said.
How to reduce the environmental footprint
For consumers interested in reducing their environmental impactto navigate the complex world of the biodegradable plastic can be overwhelming. However, there are some steps you can take to make more informed decisions.
First, familiarize yourself with the main types of biodegradable plastics and its degradation requirements. Before buying any product advertised as biodegradable, check what type of plastic it is made of and what conditions it needs to break down effectively.
The nova-Institutean independent research organization in Germanyoffers a useful chart which shows some of the main types of biodegradable plastics and their biodegradability conditions. The graph indicates whether these plastics decompose on land, in landfills, in fresh water or in the sea, or whether they require specialized treatments such as industrial composting or anaerobic digestion.
Alternatives and best practices
If you do not find a biodegradable plastic for your needs, consider using recyclable plasticBut keep in mind that recycling also presents its own challenges.
Ask yourself if there are non-plastic alternatives, such as reusable products or made from truly biodegradable materials such as paper, which could meet your needs without contributing to plastic pollution.
While scientists are working hard to perfect biodegradable plastics and make them more accessible, consumers can also play a crucial role in reducing waste and protecting the environment.
Being informed and making conscious choices is an important step towards a greener future.
Source: The New York Times