How Sustainable are Biodegradable Plastics?
When it comes to plastic, there is often a lot of confusion regarding degradation and the types of degradable plastics available. While all plastic is technically degradable, conventional untreated plastic will take centuries to break down, occupying space in landfills and oceans around the world for several future generations. To combat this issue, some companies are leading the charge by using biodegradable and compostable plastics for their products. While these types of plastics are crucial for true plastic sustainability, it is important for consumers and businesses alike to understand how sustainable biodegradable plastics are and why it is worth making the shift to these products. At Change Plastic for Good, we are always considering how we can make plastic more sustainable now and in the future. That is why we have provided some information on the benefits of biodegradable plastics to show how BDP® can transform plastic into a truly sustainable and regenerative commodity.
Learn what the biggest issues with plastic sustainability are and how to address them.
The Benefits of Biodegradable Plastics
While there are several types of biodegradable plastics currently in use, plastics treated with BDP® provide a great balance of durability, sustainability, and ease of use. BDP® is blended with plastic materials during standard manufacturing to create products that provide the following benefits:
Cleaner Landfills and Oceans
Did you know that approximately 79% of all plastic produced is still sitting in a landfill today? From plastic bags and packaging to plastic consumer goods, many items will unfortunately end up in a landfill or the ocean, endangering wildlife and negatively impacting the surrounding environment. By choosing biodegradable plastics treated with BDP®, you are choosing a product that will degrade and break down in a few years instead of a few centuries. This helps to keep landfills and the ocean cleaner by ensuring that plastic does not have a chance to pile up over the years.
The Production of Clean Fuel
Biodegradable plastics promote a regenerative cycle instead of a conventional circular cycle. Once biodegradable plastic products have been used, recycled, and disposed of, bacteria consumes them and leaves behind compost and biogas. The compost fertilizes the surrounding soil while the biogas can be captured and converted into clean, natural gas. This is all achieved without leaving behind microplastics, ensuring a sustainable and regenerative cycle.
More Protection Against User Error
One of the biggest advantages of biodegradable plastics is the enhanced protection against user error. Most consumers do not dispose of their plastic products properly, flooding landfills and the ocean with waste. Even the most vigilant individuals will accidentally throw plastic in the trash here and there, resulting in additional landfill waste. By choosing a product infused with BDP®, these mistakes are far less detrimental to the environment as each item will decompose in a few years instead of lingering for centuries.
To learn more about plastic sustainability, BDP®, or greenwashing, get in touch with the team at Change Plastic for Good. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding BDP® or the movement to make plastic completely sustainable.
