Plastic Waste Management: Greener Alternatives

Plastic Waste Management: Possible Alternate Materials to Plastics - Greener Alternatives

• The concepts covered include possible alternate materials to plastics and greener alternatives.

Green Plastics

• Plastics that exhibit source renewability, biodegradability/compostability after their lifespan, or environmentally friendly processing are considered "green".
• Being publicized as a potential solution for concerns regarding traditional petroleum-based plastics.

Compostable Plastic

• Compostable plastic adheres to scientifically recognized compostability standards, regardless of the carbon's source.
• The European norm is EN 13432.
• The USA norm is ASTM D6400.

ASTM D6400 – Main Factors

• Mineralization involves a 90% conversion to carbon dioxide, water, and biomass through microorganism activity.
• Mineralization happens at the same degradation rate as other organic waste like leaves and grass.
• Mineralization occurs in a time period of 180 days or less.
• Fragmentation dictates that no more than 10% of the original dry weight of the test material should fail to pass through a 2 mm fraction sieve.
• There should be no negative impact on the flora and fauna within the environment

Biodegradable vs Compostable

• Compostable plastic forms of a subset of biodegradable plastic that will decompose in set conditions and time frames during composting.
• Compostable plastic is always biodegradable.
• Biodegradable plastic is not always compostable.

Bioplastic

• The term bioplastic does not exclusively refer to biodegradable or compostable plastics derived from natural materials.
• The name is also given to petroleum-based plastics that are degradable, plant-based plastics that are not necessarily biodegradable, and plastics containing both petroleum-based and plant-based materials that may or may not biodegrade.
• Therefore bioplastics are essentially bio-based, biodegradable, or both.

Bio-Based Plastic

• The term 'bio-based' indicates that the product or material is partly derived from biomass specifically from plants.
• Natural polymers or synthetic plastics made from organic macromolecules derived from biological resources.
• To be classified as bio-based, material needs to originated from organic matter that contains a specific amount of carbon from biological sources.
• This definition is the base of ASTM D6866

Biodegradable Plastic

• Biodegradable plastic involves that it degrades via microorganisms in the environment in a certain time.
• Effective biodegradation entails specific environmental conditions like temperature and aeration amount to convert natural stuff into other things like compost, water, and carbon dioxide.
• Biodegradability of bioplastics depends on its chemical structure and the components of its raw materials.

Environmental Preference Spectrum of Plastics

• Environmental spectrum ranks plastics based on hazard and sustainability.
• Ranks from Avoid (PVC) to Prefer (Biobased plastics - sustainably grown).
• Some mid-range materials are ABS, EVA, Polycarbonate, PEX, PET, Silicone, Polyurethanem polystyrene, polyethelyne and polypropylene.

Bioplastics: Renewable Resources

• Starch blends and regenerated cellulose are degradable and based on renewable resources.
• Polyethylene and Polyvinyl chloride are non degradable
• BioPE, BioPA, Rubber and cellulose acetate are based on renewable resources and non-degradable
• Polycaprolactone, polyvinyl alcohols and Polyester are Bio-degradable

Bio Plastics

• Common range is made from Starch based products including thermoplastic starch, starch and synthetic aliphatic polyester blends together also
• PVOH blends, Water soluble polymer for example polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene vinyl alcohol
• Polyesters that have naturally produced for example PVB, PHB and PHBH and Renewable resource example PLA
• Synthetic polyesters for example PCL and PBS, Aliphatic-aromatic (AAC) co-polyesters and hydro-biodegradable polyester that can be modified PET, as well as Photo-biodegradable plastics and Controlled degradation additive master batches

Why Use Bioplastics

• Usage reduces or gets ridGHG and does need lots of petrochemicals
• Fossil-fuels are reduced and there is less reliance on non-renewable resources
• Up to 65% less energy needed and creates less greenhouse gases than conventional plastic.
• Some are biodegradable and some are not non-toxic and fine for medical and internal use along with common recyclables

Cons of Bioplastics

• They have a higher manufacturing cost that changes due to larger companies making bioplastics
• Composting can be done in set up composting
• Damaging standard plastic recycling and could mess up the environment through the use of plant sugars and starch
• No impact on consumer behaviour to change use and not all is recyclable
• Landfill can cause methane and not right for all uses

Applications of Bioplastics

• It can create Film including overwrap, shopping bags, waste and bin liner bags, composting bags, mulch film, silage wrap, body bags/coffin liners and even Landfill covers
• Sheet and non woven for packaging along with normal bottles and paper board
• For planting as planter boxes and fishing nets and food service cups, cutlery, trays, and straws as well as Loose fill foam

Current Advantages

• They use waste materials to reduce municipal waste
• Uses compost and reduces methane with good high moisture
• Replace cloths to a material that can revert back to its original state through a easy process
• Biodegradable at a small cost and can replace fertilizers

Starch Based Polymers

• Thermoplastic Starch Products used for food utensils and agriculture
• Starch Synthetic Aliphatic Polyester Blends are like packaging films
• Starch and PBS/PBSA Polyester Blends can be used for packing materials and products
• Starch-PVOH Blends for bags and drug carrier

Biodegradable Polyester Family

• Aliphatic vs Aromatic.
• PHA - polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHH - polyhydroxyhexanoate, PLA - polylactic acid, PBS - polybutylene succinate polymers.
• AAC - Aliphatic-Aromatic copolyesters, PBAT - polybutylene adipate/terephthalate PTMAT-polymethylene adipate/terephthalate polymers.
• Can be Naturally Produced - Renewable, Synthetic - Renewable, Synthetic - Non-Renewable

Biodegradable Polyesters

• Depending on type can degrade as quick as 2 weeks for PLA and as long as 3 months
• Varies on product with film being common

Water Soluble Polymers

• Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) is biodegradable and can be used for a range of film with it dissolving
• Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) is another water-soluble synthetic plastic and a oxygen barrier that is costly

Photo-biodegradable Plastics

• They are synthetic polymers which are made with chemicals that weaken its bonds when exposed to sunlight
• Photo sensitizers used include diketones, ferrocene derivatives as well as things like water and geography
• Useful in places where threats may be dangerous

Plastic Additives

• Promotes oxidation of plastic into low weight things,
• TDPA goes into carbon dioxide
• PDCs at only 3 % can degrade 95% in 4 weeks and its bioerodable

Additive Applications

• Thin bags and Diapers along with Landfill covers and food containers

Edible Packaging

• Packaging can be made from protein extracted from milk

Vegan "Leather"

• Vegan leather can be made from grapes, banana and mushrooms

Use Chicken Waste

• Chicken feathers can be plastics due to the abundance of protein,

Mushroom Root Material

• Packaging can be grown from mushroom roots and waste to mix like nature

Materials used in Production

Agricultural waste

• The start to a mixture for easy packing that is nature to the future

Mushroom Materials

• Material that uses molds for hemp to create hard structure

Bagasse

• Bagasse contains cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
• Located in Brazil and others to make waste product as fuel

Paper Waste

• For building materials and can used as Napkins

Productions Steps

Steam Boiler

• Basic to forming with the power from steam mixed in

Bagasse Products

• Good thermal protection for all weather and foods
• Biodegradable completely for uses

Water Pouch

• A water container made from seaweed extract that can completely destroy and can be eaten

Paper bottle

• Recycled paper to be tougher for bottles

New alternative for paper

• Mix of stone and limestone can make writing in paper

Compostable materials

• Some that are naturally sheered for less risk

Bioplastic production

• Derived from plants and can be used for items such as film

Green alternative to plastic

• Creates edible rings to safely drink

Metallised Paper

• Gives a metallic look and can be printed and recycled
• Used in multiple countries

Made From Wood

• Natural wood created cellaphones and barrier

Materials that come from shrimp

• Prawns are natural for recyclable materials

Bioplastics

• Is disposed of through composting industries and plants in the ground
• Or digestion for the human body after

Used in disposal

• Can include fishing likes and wraps and all sorts

Future uses

• Improve materials and be cheaper

High risk

• BOD pollution and ocean death

Can help reduce

• Littering

Quantifiable

• Can use it in the right way but you can Overall, even though bioplastics are generally more expensive, it balances out with the ease of use and waste.