As the world continues to experience the adverse impacts of environmental degradation, consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products that can minimise reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the biggest contributors to pollution and global warming is plastic. Based on research, the world produces approximately 380 million tonnes of new plastic each year.
At such current rate, the global percentage of GHG emissions from the production of plastic is expected to hit 15% by 2050. Because of this, a variety of plastic alternatives have been created, which deteriorate quicker and have fewer effects on the environment. Examples of them are oxo biodegradable, compostable, and recycled plastics. Keep in mind that while these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Read on to learn how these plastics differ from one another.
Oxo Biodegradable Plastics
Oxo biodegradable plastics are standard polymers where particular bio-additives like starch are added to conventional plastics, such as polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene. The purpose of adding bio-additives to these plastics is to break them down into tiny pieces. The plastics will reach a state where they can be processed by microorganisms, and this shortens their degradation from centuries to years or months. They then become fully degraded into water, biomass, and carbon dioxide.
Oxo biodegradable plastics are commonly referred to as ‘degradable’ plastics because they require no biological process to degrade. Microorganisms will speed up the degradation process, and this provides oxo biodegradation a unique advantage over other procedures for degrading plastics. The period of degradation varies depending on the exposure to degradation elements, such as heat, sunlight, and microorganisms.
Usually, oxo biodegradable plastics begin to degrade the moment they come to an open environment. If the plastics are used properly, they could last numerous years. However, once they become litter, they degrade within just a year. Particularly, in a landfill, the degradation process of oxo biodegradable plastics will accelerate if oxygen is accessible. Some common examples of oxo biodegradable packaging are bottles, labels, and carrier bags.
Compostable Plastics
Compostable products are basically those that are capable of full biodegradation in compost. Essentially, compostable plastics go through simple biodegradation but under specific controlled conditions. Therefore, the term ‘compostable’ is just a subset of the broader term ‘biodegradable.’ Like biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics are usually made from biobased sources, such as sugar beets, seaweed, and other plants, instead of fossil fuels.
Compostable plastics completely break down into natural substances and nutrients, but keep in mind that most of these plastics are intended to break down in commercial composts, not in a natural environment. Oftentimes, commercial compost facilities require the plastics to be tiled or pumped with fresh air through the piles to maintain the abundance of oxygen. The microbes in these facilities require oxygen. Otherwise, they will die and no more biodegradation will occur.
Because compostable plastics are made from renewable materials, they are considered eco-friendly and non-toxic. They usually decompose back into water, biomass, and carbon dioxide when composted. According to compostable standards, compostable plastics must be able to biodegrade within a year. When purchasing compostable plastics, be sure to check their labels to find out whether they can break down in an ordinary compost bin or are designed to break down in a commercial compost only.
Recycled Plastics
As their name implies, recycled plastics are those that have undergone a recycling process. Usually, used products that are ‘recyclable’ are sent to a recycling facility where they will be processed into a raw media form that manufacturers can then utilised to make more products. For instance, if plastic bottles are recycled, they are transported to a regrind facility that will grind them up to powder or chips. A bottle maker company will then purchase them to produce more bottles.
However, it is important to take note that not all plastics are recyclable. In order for used plastics to be transformed into recycled products, they need to be of decent quality. Any plastic material that has food residue or other dirt in or on it cannot be recycled in general. Most of the time, if a supposedly recyclable plastic has been thrown into public trash, it has no more chance to be sent to a recycling factory and will likely end up in a landfill or the incinerator because dirty recyclables are deemed useless.
At present, recycled plastics are predominantly utilised in strapping, fibers, sheet and film, food and beverage bottles, and non-food containers and carriers like black trash bags. When recycled plastics are used to produce new plastic products, manufacturers are able to conserve more than materials. They can minimise the use of energy by 66%, and for each ton of plastic they recycle, they save around 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of gasoline.
Conclusion
Oxo biodegradable, compostable, and recycled plastics are all eco-friendly plastic alternatives that come with fewer harmful impacts on the environment. Although these plastics are all similarly good for the environment, they have substantial differences that must be recognised, as they have varying implications for their end-of-life. If you are wondering which of these plastic alternatives offer the best quality and characteristics, recycled plastics arguably take the lead.
Compared to oxo biodegradable, compostable, and other kinds of plastics, recycled plastics possess a lower environmental footprint while being of lower costs. As such, it comes as no surprise that a lot of plastic products, such as packing materials, bottles, kitchenware, and garbage bags are now being made from recycled plastics.
If you are looking to source high-quality yet sustainable wholesale plastic bags in Singapore, Allswell Polythene has got you covered. Aside from being an ethical business that strictly adheres to the ESG guidelines, we provide sustainable plastic products that carry less carbon emissions and are specially designed to be repurposed for multiple uses. You can contact us here to enquire more about our products.