Why We Need to Move Beyond Recycling and Bioplastics, and How

These days, most people have at least a clear sense that plastics are a bad thing for the environment. But, you say, you recycle. Maybe you even use bio-plastic trash bags. That’s better, right? Unfortunately, both of those are fraught with issues. It might be better than the current alternatives, but does not provide a long term solution to the core problem.

Plastic: Not so fantastic

Plastics

^{Plastics are synthetic materials made by humans. In a literal sense, plastic refers to materials that can be easily molded, shaped, or formed into different shapes or objects during their manufacturing process.The term plastic encompasses both pertochemical based plastics (such as PE, PET and PE) and bioplastics (Such as PLA). Neither can be found naturally occurring. Different type of plastics have a wide difference in recyclability, degradability and compostability.Extrusion is a manufacturing process that involves forcing a material, typically in a softened or molten state, through a shaped die to create a continuous profile or product. This is the process of all FDM and paste based 3D printing}^‍

Bioplastics

^{The world of bioplastics is a fascinating avenue in our quest for more sustainable materials. Bioplastics, derived from biopolymers like starches or sugars, emulate the properties of traditional plastics. Known examples include PLA, BioPET, and the emerging contender, PHA. Despite their lower CO2 footprint, bioplastics face challenges concerning resource use, biodegradability, and potential environmental impacts like land use and deforestation. However, the development of PHA variants holds promise in addressing these concerns. PHA's advancements offer hope for improved biodegradability and reduced environmental impact, marking a significant stride towards more sustainable alternatives in the realm of bioplastics. .}^‍

BioPolymers

^{Biopolymers represent a unique category of polymers synthesized by living organisms. These encompass a diverse range of compounds such as cellulose, starch, and chitin. Their significance spans across numerous vital functions within living organisms. For instance, they contribute to the structural integrity of plant cells, act as repositories and conveyors of genetic information in the form of DNA and RNA, and play a pivotal role in forming protective exoskeletons, as seen in the case of chitin. The multifaceted roles of biopolymers underscore their fundamental importance in the biological realm, serving as essential components vital for life and its various processes.}

Regenerative materials

^{The concept of regenerative materials encapsulates substances, compounds, or elements consciously procured or engineered to not just sustain but actively participate in the rejuvenation, enhancement, or repair of ecosystems and natural resources. These materials aren't just sourced from renewable origins; they possess an innate ability to seamlessly integrate back into nature, contributing to its renewal.

Moreover, they actively encourage biodiversity, supporting the coexistence of varied species crucial for a healthy ecosystem. Through meticulous management practices, these materials are utilized in ways that nurture and fortify the overall health and adaptability of ecosystems, embodying a paradigm shift towards fostering thriving, resilient environments.}

We are in a time where it has become abundantly clear that continuing to rely on plastics as a primary method of packaging,production and ingredient in products is an unsustainable path. As the plastic issues is so fraught with confusion let us start with some definition
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The UN summed it up well when they said,

‍“The advent of plastic revolutionized every aspect of human existence; plastics can be found on the international space station, in medical equipment, in educational materials and in arguably every job and livelihood on the planet. Yet, decades of overuse and a surge in short-lived, single-use plastics, has led to a global,environmental catastrophe. Up to 12 million tonnes of plastics are being swept into the oceans annually and gyres, or so-called ‘islands of plastic’, are blossoming. While most plastics are expected to remain intact for decades or centuries after use, those that do erode end up as micro-plastics, consumed by fish and other marine wildlife, quickly making their way into the global food chain. Indeed, micro-plastics have been found everywhere from the Artic to the Swiss mountains, in tap water and in human feces.”

For many of us, the impact of plastic waste may be something abstract, but in many parts of the world,where the shoreline of beaches and rivers are awash in it, it is not. The statistics around plastic use and impact are stunning:
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500,000,000,000 plastic bags are used every year

13,000,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean

17,000,000 barrels of oil used for plasticproduction each year

100,000 marine animals killed by plastics each year

83% of tap water found to contain plastic particles

50% of consumer plastics are single use

430,000,000 metric tonnes of new plastics produced annually

Plastics recycling: Noble intentions, problematic reality

While on the surface, the abundance of products made with recycled materials is encouraging, There remains a few issues with recycling

- The low percentage of waste being recycled,
- The fact that most types of plastics are in all practical terms mechanically unrecyclable due to colouring, multimaterial issues, toxicity and logistical challenges
- Tendency of recycling efforts to work with the cleanest, single source materials.
- Lack of recycling facilities in locations with the largest marine ecosystem leakage
- Degradation of plastic at every cycle of mechanical recycling leading to downcycling of many material streams.

Due to these issues, plastic use often leads to highly damaging mismanaged waste. According to McKinsey, in many key parts of the world, 73-85% of waste is mismanaged.

‍“In 2018, about 80 million metric tons of plastic waste were not managed to international standards, including via open dumping, open burning, and substandard landfills. Five million to ten million metric tons of waste also ended up in the ocean, according to McKinsey research (Exhibit 1),much of which came from Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.”

While it is heartening to hear that a global treaty to end plastic pollution is in the works at the United Nations Environment Assembly, it’s clear that that is a slow moving ship, the process to get fair, adhered to standards likely to take quite some time. And even in the best scenario's the physics of recycling mean a limited solution.

So what can we do that will make a tangible impact, now?

Bioplastic: Plant based, different sources

Bioplastics, it must be understood, come from a variety of sources, from brand new plants to plant waste or microorganisms, among other things. There is a vast difference in sustainability between a PLA where the building blocks are sourced from a monoculture sugarcane plantation in Indonesia where the jungle needed to be cut and a PHA bioplastic made from bacteria processing unavoidable food waste.

To asses these plastics ecoenclose developed a thorough framework to asses different feedstocks asking the following questions:

- Is it petroleum-based?
- Is it based on other non-renewable sources such as sand or mined minerals? For
- If it is a renewable resource, is it one whose production or extraction is frequently degenerative such as massive monocrops with artificial fertilizer or the logging of primary forest?
- Could it be produced in a regenerative way? Sugarcane production has been shown to have tremendous positive consequences for land and biodiversity if grown sustainably.
- If it is renewable, what is the land impact of producing the crop?
- Does it require the removal of critical ecosystems now or in the future?
- Does it threaten old-growth or endangered forests?
- Is it planted and grown in a regenerative growth cycle?
- Does it need high levels of petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides?
- Is GMO, which heightens chemical concerns, standard practice?
- How much freshwater is required?
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Based on these frameworks they looked at the deforestation risk, Carbon footprint, Water footprint, Eutrophication and Acidification of various feedstocks and come to the following summary (based on current practices)

Bioplastic: Waste or composting?

The notion that all bioplastics are waste-free is misleading. While some bioplastics biodegrade or compost, not all do, leading to pollution concerns akin to petroleum-based plastics. Even though sourced from biological materials, certain bioplastics, like Bio-PET, remain chemically identical to their petroleum counterparts, differing only in origin. They generate micro and nano plastics during decomposition, posing similar pollution risks. However, one environmental advantage lies in their raw material production, where plants used in bioplastic creation capture a portion of carbon dioxide. Generally, the production process of bioplastics has a lower greenhouse gas impact compared to petroleum-based plastics. Yet, it's crucial to clarify that being biodegradable or compostable doesn't equate to vanishing upon disposal. Most biodegradable or compostable bioplastic waste necessitates specific processing that nature by itself cannot do.
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Regenerative materials - the way forward?

All regenerative materials have in common that they actively work together with nature to restore and regenerate ecosystems. They are easily disposable by nature and are sourced in a way that enhances existing ecosystems. It's important to note that this is not a checkbox, certification type exercise but a visionary striving for. In this sense not all Biopolymers are regenerative (consider olive pits made in a harmfull and destructive way) nor are all bioplastics non-regenerative (for an example of a regenerative bioplastic see sway's work on seaweed based compostable bioplastics). More versions of matertials that can be consiudered regenerative can be found at The Circular Material Library and Materiom

If you want to get started with Junai Materials and 3D printing have a look at our shop or our blog on how to get started with regenerative materials

Authors

Paul Smith