I want to replace ordinary plastic with new materials, but bioplastics are not so environmentally friendly.

In recent years, in order to appear more environmentally friendly, Pepsi, Nestlé, Unilever and other companies have recently introduced composite substitutes for plastic packaging or tableware, such as forks made of corn starch renewable materials, but these alternatives are not so Environmental protection.

Usually when these companies announce the use of a new material instead of plastic, they will not elaborate on the recycling of these new materials, only that they can be recycled or degradable, and most consumers do not understand these materials. Recycling or degradation process. In fact, these composites, like plastics, do not degrade naturally and require special industrial treatments, most of which are thrown into trash cans and eventually incinerated or landfilled.

For example, bio-plastics made from biological materials such as plants: Pepsi-Cola launched a package made of plant material for a piece called Artesanas in Chile. This bag needs to be placed in a special trash can after use. Recyclable processing is available. In the city, such bins are not everywhere. Even with such facilities, consumers are not necessarily conscious of classifying such waste.

In industrial processes, bioplastics require high enough temperature to degrade. When the temperature does not reach the end of effective degradation, the residue to be treated is not different from the properties of ordinary plastics. It also takes decades to be in the natural environment. Was dispelled.

Some bioplastics can also be degraded by composting, but they also need to be carried out in a strictly industrial environment. Composting refers to the conversion of humus by a chemical reaction with bacteria or microorganisms. It usually takes 180 days to maintain the entire conversion process at 60 °C.

There are not many recycling companies that can industrially treat bioplastics in the market. According to a study released in 2018 by BioCycle, a publication focused on composting, only 50 of the 103 food waste composting facilities in the United States indicated that they can handle compostable plastics.