Plastic makes our lives convenient, but it’s also a major cause of environmental pollution. Could bioplastics be the solution? We explore their eco-friendly potential and limitations, seeking solutions for a sustainable future.
Plastic and Our Daily Lives
How long could we live without touching plastic in modern times? Plastic is present in far more items than we realize—our smartphones, toothbrushes, toothpaste—things we reach for the moment we wake up. We might even be so surrounded by plastic that it’s easier to count the times we touch other materials than the times we touch plastic. Plastic has become an indispensable material in our daily lives, profoundly transforming how we live. Lightweight, strong, and inexpensive, plastic is used in countless products, making its applications extremely diverse.
As plastic has become entrenched in our lives, we have enjoyed many conveniences. Used for various purposes, plastic has made our lives more convenient and efficient. However, behind these benefits lie serious environmental problems. Due to its low cost, plastic tends to be used once and discarded rather than recycled. This discarded plastic, due to its non-biodegradable nature, has become a major cause of environmental pollution. Particularly, plastic waste flowing into the oceans is causing severe marine pollution, such as forming massive garbage patches. The process of handling this plastic also generates significant carbon dioxide, negatively impacting climate change.
The Emergence and Potential of Bioplastics
Bioplastics have emerged as an alternative solution to the plastic problem. As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics possess environmentally friendly characteristics. Bioplastics refer to plastics made using biomass such as corn starch or vegetable oils. Here, biomass encompasses all living organisms that produce organic matter using solar energy, including plants, animals that consume these plants as food, and microorganisms.
The most representative bioplastic is PLA (polylactic acid). PLA is made using lactic acid derived from plants as its base material. Lactic acid is produced by fermenting starch from plants like corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat using Lactobacillus bacteria. The lactic acid is then heated under low pressure to convert it into lactide, which is polymerized to form the polymer PLA. PLA can possess various thermal and mechanical properties, making it suitable for diverse applications.
A key advantage of bioplastics is their lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to petroleum-based plastics. While the plastic manufacturing process generally generates significant carbon dioxide, bioplastics produce relatively less. For example, producing a single plastic garden chair generates approximately 6 to 27 kg of carbon dioxide, whereas bioplastic emits only 1.3 kg of carbon dioxide per kilogram. Furthermore, bioplastic decomposes naturally after use, contributing to the carbon cycle and thus having a smaller impact on global warming.
Challenges and Future of Bioplastics
While bioplastics hold great potential, several challenges exist. Currently, production volumes are low, and concerns persist that using food crops for this purpose could exacerbate hunger issues. Furthermore, they lack the heat resistance and strength to fully replace conventional plastics. However, these issues can be gradually addressed through ongoing research and development.
Although still in its early stages, bioplastic has great potential to evolve into a more efficient and environmentally friendly material through future research and development. We must reduce plastic use and utilize alternative materials like bioplastic to address environmental issues. This is everyone’s responsibility and an essential effort for a sustainable future.
To solve the plastic problem, small individual actions can collectively create significant change. It is crucial to make recycling a habit and strive to reduce plastic usage. Additionally, innovative technological development is needed alongside policy support from governments and businesses. Our small actions and efforts combined can build a better environment.
Ultimately, we must build a sustainable future through coexistence with plastic. To achieve this, we must reduce plastic usage, actively practice recycling, and promote the development and use of eco-friendly materials like bioplastics. It is time for all of us to work together for a sustainable future.
