Plastics : A deeper look into Bio-Based Plastics

Some experts argue that replacing fossil fuel plastics with biomass-derived alternatives isn't the straightforward solution it's often portrayed to be. 

While some companies are backing moves to reduce fossil fuel plastic production, bio-based alternatives come with their own significant environmental challenges.

Biomass is organic material from plants and animals that can be used as an energy source or raw material. Examples include wood, crops, agricultural waste, and food waste.

Bio-based products made partially or entirely from biomass (biological materials) instead of fossil fuels. These include bioplastics, biofuels, and other materials derived from plants or other renewable biological resources rather than petroleum.

The energy production problem:

Key point: 

Bio-based plastics can be worse for the environment depending on how they're produced.
Simply put, we could compare it to baking a cake. The ingredients (biomass) might be natural, but if you use a very polluting oven (coal/gas power), the overall impact is worse than using a slightly less natural recipe in a cleaner oven.

Real-life example: 

A bio-plastic manufacturing plant that runs on coal-fired electricity would produce 4-7 times more emissions than conventional plastic production, effectively negating the environmental benefits of using plant materials instead of fossil fuels.

The "Bio" label misconception:

Key Point: 

"Bio-based" doesn't automatically mean "biodegradable"
Put simply, just because something starts from plants doesn't mean it will break down naturally in the environment.

Real-life example: 

PLA (polylactic acid) is a common bio-based plastic used in disposable cutlery and cups. While derived from corn starch, it requires industrial composting facilities to break down, it won't decompose in your home compost or in nature. It can persist for decades just like conventional plastics.

Biodegradable: materials that can break down naturally over time through biological processes, decomposing into natural elements by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.
Compostable: materials that not only break down but do so within a specific timeframe (typically 90-180 days) under composting conditions, fully converting to nutrient-rich soil without leaving toxic residue. 

All compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable items are compostable.

The volume problem:

Key Point: 

The fundamental issue is the quantity of plastic being produced, regardless of its source.
Whether you're flooding your house with water from the tap or water from the rain, you still have a flooded house. The source matters less than the volume.

Real-life example: 

Even if all the 380 million tonnes of plastic produced annually were made from biomass, we would still face massive waste management challenges. Countries which has excellent biodiversity for biomass production, would need to convert vast areas of land to grow feedstock for bio-plastics, potentially leading to deforestation and food security issues.

The recycling limitation:

Key point: 

Recycling alone cannot solve plastic pollution, even for bio-based plastics.
It is like trying to empty a bathtub while the tap is running full blast, recycling is like using a small cup to remove water while production keeps pouring more in.

Real-Life example: 

Germany has one of the world's best recycling systems, yet even there, only about 38% of plastic packaging is actually recycled. 

Bio-based plastics often require specialized recycling facilities that many regions lack, potentially making them even harder to process than conventional plastics.

The better solution:

Key point: 

The focus has to be on alternative materials and changing consumer behavior.

Real-life examples:

Kenya's successful ban on single-use plastic bags led to widespread adoption of reusable cloth bags
Some companies are creating seaweed-based packaging that naturally biodegrades
Deposit return schemes in countries like Norway that have achieved 97% recycling rates for plastic bottles by changing consumer behavior through economic incentives

Conclusion:

Bio-based plastics represent a well-intentioned but potentially flawed approach to sustainability if not implemented with careful consideration of their full lifecycle impacts. 

True progress will require reducing overall plastic production and consumption, regardless of whether the source is fossil fuels or biomass.

A balanced policy framework might incorporate both innovations in material science and thoughtful consumption patterns to advance environmental sustainability objectives within practical economic parameters.