ABSTRACT
Today, we utilize plastics extensively. These can be used in anything, including autos and mobile devices. Plastic is a common material used for small items in daily life. Plastic bottles, plastic cutlery, plastic furniture, plastic toys, and even plastic clothing and accessories for interior décor are things we’ve grown accustomed to using. Although the usage of plastic has significantly enhanced our lives, its negative effects have already reached their limit. Our environment is under jeopardy. Our entire ecology and health are at risk due to the associated carbon emissions from plastics. We must figure out a solution to the problem.
Our current goal is to establish an environmentally sustainable planet.
Therefore, it has been taken into account to create plastics that are degradable. For this, certain basic steps have been taken for the sake of a sustainable environment. The major one is creating biodegradable plastic.
Biodegradable plastics are mainly made from materials that are easily assimilated by microorganisms and disappear from our environment. We can sort out the problems like climate change by this. Our Earth can be cleaner without plastic.
The necessity of Bio degradable plastic materials have grown multi folded in last few years. Though their use covers a little bit of the problem, we have felt our responsibility towards creating a sustainable environment and make a green environment for our future generation.

INTRODUCTION

Certain innovations in the journey of civilization have created the epitome of success. Plastic may be considered in this. A material that can be used universally for several purposes without any decay or decomposition for several years.

This landmark innovation has been working as a blessing as well as a curse for the environment since its introductory years. We benefit from using plastic in numerous ways. But the problem lies with the fate of used plastics. As those are not perishable, a huge mass of used plastics has already crossed the limit of what is safe for the environment.

Study shows, the production of plastics dates back to 20th century till date, 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste materials were produced. Since it is a non-biodegradable product, accumulated plastic waste has taken a huge toll on the environment.

Scientists, driven by the purpose of saving the environment, have commenced recycling plastics. But the problem is larger than the solution. Statistics regarding plastic recycling have marked that –

9% of waste plastic has been recycled to date.

1% has been recycled more than once.

12% was incinerated,

79% are disposed of in landfills or the environment, including the sea.

Therefore, we need to create biodegradable plastic materials to control the damage done to the environment.

OBJECTIVE

The comprehensive approach to creating and using biodegradable plastic materials has covered the necessity of saving Mother Earth in the form of

Reducing dependence on landfills,
Conserve resources and
Protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Plastics made from organic material that can be decomposed by different organisms like bacteria, fungi, algae to assimilate in water, carbon dioxide and residue biomass in the industrial set up, within 180 days, is considered Bio Degradable Plastic. A favorable environment with a definite temperature, humidity, sunlight, or presence of oxygen is required to perform the action. The major varieties of biodegradable plastic are:

Oxy-biodegradable and conventional plastics
Hydro bio degradable which are broken down by hydrolysis
Photobiodegradable, which reacts with UV rays
Bioplastics made from biologically sourced polymers

The chemical process for biodegradation starts with the oxidation and hydrolysis of plastic materials. Then a biological process is also carried out. We get carbon dioxide as the end product from these chemical processes. In some cases, methane gas is also emitted. Enzyme assisted mechanism is performed to complete the process. These biodegradable plastics are compostable in nature, too.

Manufacture of Bio degradable plastics is done from

An organic bio-based material (Starch, Cellulose)
Bio-oils like sugarcane
Fossil-based synthetic polyester (biodegradable)

They can also be made from soy beans, orange peels, starch, corn oils, and other microorganisms.

Industrially, at the time of manufacturing biodegradable plastic, we get

Bio plastic which are made from starch mainly, and
Biodegradable plastic is made from petrochemicals, which break down in industrial settings.

From the point of view of the degradation process, bioplastics can be completely degraded as they are manufactured from renewable sources.

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 After procuring detailed research by the scientists on manufacturing biodegradable plastics, we have three types of degradable plastics. Those are

Compostable,
Biodegradable, and
Oxo-biodegradable

Among these three varieties, compostable plastic breaks down in carbon dioxide, water and biomass without leaving any toxic or harmful material in the environment in an industrial compostable set up. Biodegradable plastics have the chance to leave some toxins after breaking down, and the third variety, which is oxo biodegradable plastics, is not completely environment friendly. It leaves heavy metals and other toxic materials in the soil, and there is a chance they will not get broken down completely.

Therefore, compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic both have the capacity to be broken down into their organic constituents. Composting of plastic requires a specific amount of heat, pressure, and nutrient concentration to maintain a definite chemical ratio. It can be done only in an industrial setting. Aerobic environments are also needed to perform this action. On the other hand, biologically made polymers sourced from non fossil material during bio degrade naturally in the environment.

All organic materials are actually biodegradable, which takes from weeks to millions of years to break down into organic materials. Therefore, the processing needs to be done to reduce pollution of the environment and to achieve the ultimate goal of sustainable development.

ADVANTAGES OF BIO DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

With the advent of technology and improved access to materials, we can produce biodegradable plastic on a large scale. More use of biodegradable plastic will help reduce pollution created by conventional plastic materials. We may summarise the benefits as follows:
We use biodegradable plastic in many ways in our lives today.
As shopping bag
As compostable wastes collection bag for bins
For packaging purposes for fruits, meats, and frozen foods
For use in medical requirements like screws, pins, plates, etc.
For making disposable catering utensils.
For making pens, pencils, sharpeners, stationery items, bottles, tea bags, and air pillows.

DISADVANTAGES OF BIO DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

Despite having a lot of advantages, it does have some drawbacks as well. Let’s have a quick note on these.

These are not completely degradable, which may retain harmful traces in the environment.
A costly industrial setup with special machinery is needed to process composting plastics.
The availability of equipment is another factor.
A specific disposition process needs to be followed to get an accurate result.
It is an expensive product.
Single uses are required.
It requires a lot of water for the process. If there is scarcity of rainfall, the process of decomposition gets hampered.
The plants that are used as a resource for manufacturing biodegradable plastic are contaminated with agrochemicals during agriculture. Therefore, we cannot avoid the risk of being exposed to those chemicals.

IMPLICATION OF THE STUDY

Today, the use of biodegradable plastic is gradually becoming more popular. The use of biodegradable plastic bags in supermarkets for packaging products and compostable plastic bags for collecting waste materials in shopping malls, cinema halls, restaurants, hospitals, or any other public places has become a popular choice. These applications are broadening with time.

Biodegradable plastics have the prospect of being used beyond food packaging or manufacturing essential products like toothbrushes, batteries, furniture, diapers, phones, computers, and others. Research is going on to develop its qualities to be compatible with the environment and eco-friendly. The world awaits the future of biodegradable plastic materials to initiate a revolution.

CONCLUSION

We are all well aware of the term “sustainable environment” now. The long-awaited goal of finding a solution for the environment can be well addressed with the use of biodegradable plastics. Compostable plastics do not have any nutritional value, but they have taken on a major role in sustainable bio waste management. Certified compostable plastics should be used in place of conventional plastic. They have a potential environmental benefit in the form of bio waste collection bags. Agricultural mulch film is another example that can be used to prevent long-term plastic accumulation in soil.

With the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics, we can get specific benefits for the environment, but further improvements are required to meet the need. Though the demand for these plastics is increasing significantly, it is still far from being a solution for a green environment.

REFERENCE

https://www.berkeley.edu
https://www.reverteplastics.com
https://www.iasgyan.in
https://google.com
https://exportersindia.com
https://naturtec.com