Is Compostable Plastic Good or Evil?
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| Compostable Cup |
The evils of plastic are easy to talk about, but actually
making changes to use less plastic is extremely difficult. Plastic is ubiquitous
and plastic products often cost less. Some items, like your desktop printer, cable
modem, and a million other daily use items only come with a plastic option. So,
when I started seeing plastic storage bags, disposable utensils, plates, cups,
and even plastic garbage bags labeled as compostable and biodegradable, I felt
like the breakthrough had happened. The concept make me giddy, and I was
willing to spend more money to help the earth. Then one day I was looking at
one of the bags labeled compostable and it occurred to me that I wasn’t
comfortable putting this “plastic like” item into my own compost bin. Weird
chemicals came to mind. So, I started researching.
Compostable plastics are often called bioplastics. They contain
chemical compounds “derived from or synthesized by microbes such as bacteria or
by genetically modified plants." (https://www.britannica.com/technology/bioplastic).
The type of bioplastic (compostable plastic) made from plants like corn or sugarcane
is often referred to as PLA plastic. It is often used in food packaging. PHS is
the type of bioplastic made from microorganisms. It is typically used in the
medical field for items like sutures and cardiovascular patches.
The real benefit from bioplastic or compostable plastic
would come from a reduction in carbon and less damage to the environment. The
idea is that bioplastic will contribute less carbon to the atmosphere by
returning the same carbon absorbed by the plants while growing that was used to
make the plastic. This is also based on the assumption that the bioplastic
degrades. This is where things get tricky. Depending on the type of bioplastic,
it does not just degrade in any environment. Industrial type, high heat
composting is necessary for it to break down in a reasonable time frame. In the
absence of intense heat, compostable plastic breaks down into tiny pieces, and
in the same fashion as traditional plastic, lasts for decades and presents a
danger to marine life and the environment. Additionally, there is also the
question of using land that is diverted away from food production to grow crops
to make bioplastics. This, of course involves soil degradation, the use of
dangerous pesticides, and the run off of fertilizers as well. (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/11/are-bioplastics-made-from-plants-better-for-environment-ocean-plastic/#close)
So, is bioplastic evil? You will have to make that decision
on your own. I like to take a pragmatic approach. I think we should all avoid
any type of plastic or bioplastic as much as possible. Pay attention when you
shop and use reusable produce bags and shopping bags. Support brands that are
using earth friendly forms of packaging. Use aluminum foil whenever possible
rather than plastic wrap, and if do have to purchase something packaged in
plastic, make an honest effort to recycle or find a way to safely reuse the
container. I applaud the effort of bioplastic and the desire to find another
alternative to traditional plastic. I think this is a field that will continue
to be explored and I look forward to the amazing ideas of scientists and entrepreneurs
everywhere. I think if you wants to use bioplastic, you should check with your
local government or check recycling companies in your area to see if there is a
high heat compost facility in your area that accepts bioplastic or another
responsible way for you to dispose of it. Otherwise, it may be just as damaging
as the alternative you are spending more to avoid.
I found this list of facilities in the United States that
compost bioplastic. I don’t know if it is exhaustive.
The EPA also has a page that addresses some FAQs about
plastic recycling and bioplastic:
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