Plastic has evolved into an essential component of daily living in today’s industrialised and convenience-driven society. Packaging, furniture, electronics, automobiles, and even clothes contain it.
Although plastic is strong, flexible, and inexpensive to produce, its extensive use has had negative environmental effects. Waste disposal is the most important problem, particularly when working with polymers that are difficult to break down.
Biodegradable plastic, a substance created to provide comparable utility to traditional plastic while promising improved environmental compatibility, has been presented to the globe as a result of the continuous hunt for sustainable alternatives. However, because of its affordability and durability, non-biodegradable plastic still rules industries, even at the expense of environmental health.
To fully understand the distinctions between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic, this article will examine their composition, breakdown behaviour, environmental impact, examples, benefits, drawbacks, and prospects for the future.
Table of Contents
Understanding Biodegradable Plastic
Plastic that may naturally break down in the environment thanks to the activity of microorganisms like fungi and bacteria is known as biodegradable plastic. Depending on the environmental circumstances, the breakdown produces simpler components such as carbon dioxide, water, methane, biomass, or inorganic chemicals.
They are made to decompose more quickly in the presence of sunlight, air, moisture, and microbes than conventional polymers, which survive for decades. It’s crucial to remember that biodegradability does not always equate to compostability; some varieties may still need industrial methods to completely decompose.
Composition and Manufacturing
Natural polymers like starch, cellulose, or polylactic acid (PLA) that come from renewable resources like corn, sugarcane, or cassava are commonly used to make biodegradable plastics. Some have additives that accelerate degradation even if they are made of petroleum-based components.
They come in two main varieties:
- Bioplastics are made from biological materials and are frequently biodegradable.
- Synthetic polymers with unique additives to promote quicker decomposition are known as petrochemical-based biodegradable plastics.
How It Degrades
Biodegradable plastic breaks down in phases:
- Fragmentation: When environmental circumstances cause a physical disintegration into smaller fragments.
- Biodegradation: The fragments are broken down by microorganisms and transformed into biomass, CO₂, or CH₄.
- Assimilation: The ecosystem absorbs the final wastes without any hazardous residues.
The thickness of the plastic object, the type of polymer, and the environmental factors all affect how long it takes for it to decompose.
Understanding Non-Biodegradable Plastic
Plastics that are difficult for natural biological processes to break down are referred to as non-biodegradable plastics. These substances can persist in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years, leading to persistent problems with pollution and waste management.
Composition and Durability
Petroleum-based synthetic polymers are commonly used to make them. Typical varieties include:
- Polyethylene (PE), which is utilised in plastic bottles and bags.
- Polypropylene (PP): present in automobile parts and food packaging.
- Polystyrene (PS): Utilised in Styrofoam and other insulating and packaging materials.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is utilised in window frames, medical equipment, and pipelines.
They are perfect for many uses because of their strength, endurance, and chemical resistance, but these qualities also make them nearly indestructible in nature.
Environmental Persistence
Non-biodegradable plastics fragment into tiny particles known as microplastics, which contaminate the air, water, and soil instead of breaking down. They eventually make their way into the human food chain after building up in oceans and being consumed by marine life.
Differences between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable plastic
The difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable Plastic contrasts two plastic types according to several characteristics, emphasising their usage, origins, and effects on the environment. Here is a concise summary and explanation of the distinctions in list form rather than a table:
- Source
- Decomposition
- Environmental Impact
- Recyclability
- Durability
- Cost
- Usage
1. Source
Renewable resources are used to make biodegradable plastic. These could be modified petrochemicals made to decompose more readily or plant-based substances like maize starch.
Conversely, non-biodegradable plastic comes from petroleum and other non-renewable fossil resources. This adds to the depletion of natural resources and the reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Decomposition
When biodegradable plastic is exposed to natural components like oxygen, sunshine (UV rays), and bacteria, it decomposes rather quickly. Depending on the material and circumstances, it could deteriorate in a few months to several years.
If non-biodegradable plastic does decompose at all, it takes hundreds of years. It accumulates in landfills and natural habitats since it has been present in the environment for a very long time.
3. Environmental Impact
Biodegradable plastic is less harmful to the environment. Because it breaks down more readily, it lessens the accumulation of garbage, eases the strain on landfills, and is less dangerous to wildlife.
The cost of non-biodegradable plastic to the environment is considerable. It damages both marine and land creatures, pollutes the land and oceans, and adds to the contamination of microplastics.
4. Recyclability
Biodegradable plastic can occasionally be recycled or composted, depending on its chemical composition. However, if it is mixed with conventional plastics, inappropriate disposal may confuse the recycling system.
Although non-biodegradable plastic can be recycled in theory, most of it is not used again. Because the recycling infrastructure is frequently insufficient or the plastic is polluted, a significant amount winds up in landfills or the ocean.
5. Durability
Biodegradable plastic is typically less robust. It may not withstand prolonged or demanding use because of its inherent design, which permits it to degrade with time. Plastic that doesn’t biodegrade is incredibly resilient to environmental deterioration. Because of this, it can be used for a variety of purposes, but it can also be problematic when it ends up as waste.
6. Cost
In general, biodegradable plastic is costlier. Because alternate materials and specialised production procedures are used, the cost is higher. Despite its negative effects on the environment, non-biodegradable plastic remains the default option in the majority of businesses because it is more affordable and accessible.
7. Usage
Biodegradable plastic is frequently utilised for short-term uses such as bags, disposable cutlery, agricultural films, and packaging. These things are made to last for a short time before being thrown away.
Numerous industries, including packaging, construction, electronics, and the automobile sector, employ non-biodegradable plastic. It is appropriate for both long-lasting and disposable products due to its strength and adaptability.
Benefits of Biodegradable Plastic
- Reduced Environmental Footprint: Biodegradable plastic lessens the load on landfills and the oceans by breaking down into non-toxic by-products.
- Renewable Resource Use: The majority are made from cellulose, sugarcane, or maize starch, which lessens reliance on finite fossil resources.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: The manufacture of biodegradable plastics results in lower CO₂ emissions than those of conventional plastics.
- Soil Enrichment: Composting has the potential to improve soil fertility, particularly in agricultural settings.
Challenges of Biodegradable Plastic
- Specific Conditions Needed: Not every biodegradable plastic breaks down in the wild. Some need facilities for industrial composting.
- Potential Contamination: It may lower the quality of the recycled product if combined with regular plastics during the recycling process.
- Cost: costlier to manufacture, which prevents price-sensitive sectors from adopting it widely.
- Misleading Labels: Misuse of terms like “biodegradable” leads to poor disposal techniques and consumer confusion.
Impacts of Non-Biodegradable Plastic
- Pollution: One of the main causes of pollution in the air, water, and land is non-biodegradable plastic. Ecosystem contamination, poisonous leachates, and plugged sewers are the results of improper disposal.
- Wildlife Threat: When animals consume plastic waste, it can cause intestinal blockage or choking death. Marine life is particularly at risk.
- Soil and Water Degradation: Plastic-derived toxic chemicals leak into groundwater and soil, lowering agricultural output and endangering human health.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Plastic garbage incineration contributes to climate change by releasing CO₂ and other dangerous gases.
E-Waste and Plastic: A Dangerous Intersection
Non-biodegradable plastic is frequently used as a structural or insulating element in electronic garbage, or “e-waste.” Plastic’s contribution to global pollution increases along with the volume of e-waste generated. When electronic plastic components are improperly disposed of, hazardous chemicals like flame retardants leach out, cause toxic fumes when burned, and leave behind persistent waste in landfills.
Innovations and Future of Biodegradable Plastics
As researchers and businesses make investments in non-biodegradable plastic substitutes, the future appears bright:
1. Bioplastics from Algae and Seaweed: Biodegradable polymers derived from marine sources lessen reliance on agricultural inputs and land use.
2. Enzyme Technology: Under mild conditions, newly discovered enzymes can speed up the breakdown of plastics.
3. Mushroom Packaging: Biodegradable alternatives for protective packaging are provided by mycelium-based materials.
4. BioPET and BioPE: biodegradable substitutes for traditional PET and PE that are just as strong but have less of an effect on the environment.
Government Policies and Global Movements
Around the world, governments and organisations are developing frameworks to control the use of plastics:
- EU’s Plastic Ban: Ban on single-use plastic items.
- India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules: Extended producer responsibility (EPR) provisions.
- UNEP Initiatives: Promoting circular economy models with biodegradable alternatives.
How Consumers Can Help
- Choose biodegradable packaging where available.
- Compost biodegradable plastics correctly—don’t assume all will degrade in nature.
- Separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic for better recycling.
- Support brands and policies that prioritize sustainability.
Biodegradable plastics mark a significant turn towards sustainability and present a viable answer to one of the biggest environmental problems facing humanity. Biodegradable plastics are not a cure-all, though; appropriate disposal and consumer education are still necessary. On the other hand, non-biodegradable plastic still seriously harms the environment despite being more affordable and long-lasting.
Responsible consumption, waste segregation, innovation, and policy support are all necessary for the future. To reduce the environmental impact of plastics, governments, businesses, and consumers must work together. We can make a significant contribution to a cleaner and healthier planet by choosing biodegradable alternatives when practical and making sure that non-biodegradable plastic is managed responsibly.
Conclusion
The difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics emphasises how urgent it is that we make sustainable decisions in our daily lives. Although biodegradable plastics are a more environmentally benign option, their efficiency is dependent on appropriate disposal and infrastructural assistance.
Despite their affordability and durability, non-biodegradable plastics significantly increase pollution and cause long-term environmental harm. To encourage responsible production, consumption, and waste management, people, businesses, and governments must work together as technology develops and awareness rises.
Together, we can lessen our plastic footprint and strive towards a healthier, more sustainable world by selecting biodegradable products whenever feasible and advocating for innovation and legislative changes.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.