In the quest to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, terms like “biodegradable” and “compostable” are often thrown around. While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, they refer to distinct processes with important differences. Understanding these terms, and their implications for the environment, can help consumers and businesses make better choices for sustainable living.
What is Biodegradable Plastic?
Biodegradable plastic is designed to break down naturally through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. Unlike traditional plastic, which can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, biodegradable plastics decompose into natural elements like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. This makes them more environmentally friendly when disposed of correctly.
However, there are important caveats to consider:
- Environment Matters: Biodegradable plastics need specific environmental conditions to break down effectively. Typically, this means commercial composting facilities where the right temperature and microbial activity can facilitate decomposition. If left in natural environments like landfills, these plastics may break down slowly, often only fragmenting into microplastics.
- Landfill Concerns: While biodegradable plastics break down faster than conventional plastics, in landfills, they can still produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas—if they do not undergo the required microbial decomposition.
- Recycling Misconceptions: Many biodegradable plastics are not suitable for recycling. They should never be mixed with recyclable plastics, as they are processed differently and can contaminate the recycling stream.
Biodegradable plastics may be made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, fats, and corn starch. However, not all biodegradable plastics are compostable, meaning they may not meet the stringent criteria necessary for a truly sustainable end-of-life outcome.
What is Compostable Plastic?
Compostable plastics, on the other hand, are a subset of biodegradable plastics that meet specific, stringent standards for breaking down into non-toxic, harmless elements in a composting environment. This means that compostable plastics not only biodegrade but do so in a way that is beneficial for the soil and without leaving behind harmful residues.
Key Characteristics of Compostable Plastics:
- Biodegradation Rate: Compostable plastics are required to decompose within a specific time frame (usually 180 days) in composting conditions, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass without leaving toxic substances behind.
- Environmentally Safe: Unlike many biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics are designed to decompose without leaving behind microplastics, toxic residues, or other harmful substances that could impact soil and water quality.
- Certified Standards: To ensure that a product is compostable, it must undergo rigorous testing to meet global certification standards, which are critical for consumer confidence. These certifications include:
- ASTM D6400: This U.S. standard measures the rate at which plastic degrades in an aerobic composting environment. A product must release at least 60% of its carbon dioxide within 180 days to be considered compostable.
- EN 13432: Common in Europe, this standard categorizes compostable materials into two types: OK Compost – Industrial and OK Compost – Home, each with its own requirements for composting under different conditions.
- ISO 17088: A globally recognized standard that tests for biodegradation, decomposition, and the absence of harmful effects on terrestrial organisms. Products must disintegrate within 180 days without harming the composting process.
Types of Compostable Plastics
Some common types of compostable plastics include:
- Polylactic Acid (PLA): Made from renewable plant sources like corn starch, PLA is widely used in food packaging and disposable items.
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Produced by microorganisms, PHA is biodegradable in both marine and soil environments.
- Plant Starch Blends: Corn starch-based plastics that can break down in composting conditions.
- Cellulose-based Plastics: Derived from wood or cotton fibers, these plastics are biodegradable and compostable.
Quick verificBiodegradable vs. Compostable: The Key Differencesation test
While all compostable plastics are biodegradable, the reverse is not always true. The key differences come down to:
- Timeframe for Decomposition: Compostable plastics must break down within a set period (usually 90 days) in a controlled composting environment, while biodegradable plastics may take much longer, depending on the environmental conditions.
- Environmental Impact: Compostable plastics decompose without leaving harmful residues, whereas biodegradable plastics, if not disposed of properly, can break down into microplastics or release toxic substances.
- Certification: Compostable plastics must pass strict certification tests like ASTM D6400, EN 13432, and ISO 17088, ensuring they break down safely and within the specified timeframe. Biodegradable plastics lack a unified certification standard, making it more difficult to ensure they will decompose as promised.
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What About Bioplastics?
It’s important to distinguish between biodegradable plastics and bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from renewable resources like corn or sugarcane but are not necessarily biodegradable. Some bioplastics (like PLA) are biodegradable and compostable, but others behave like conventional plastic and should be recycled or disposed of in landfills.
Additionally, the term oxo-degradable plastics is sometimes confused with biodegradable plastics. These are traditional plastics (like polyethylene or polypropylene) that are treated with chemicals to accelerate the degradation process. However, they do not biodegrade fully and often break down into microplastics, posing a serious environmental risk. Therefore, oxo-degradable plastics are generally considered harmful to the environment.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Plastic
When looking to make environmentally conscious decisions, it’s essential to understand the differences between biodegradable and compostable plastics. While both types of plastic are marketed as environmentally friendly alternatives, compostable plastics provide a more sustainable solution when properly disposed of in composting environments. Always look for certified products that meet recognized standards for biodegradation and composting to ensure that your plastic waste doesn’t contribute to pollution or microplastic contamination.
For a truly sustainable future, focusing on reducing overall plastic consumption and increasing the use of plant-based, compostable materials is a step in the right direction.
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