Question 1

Is Biodegradable the same as Biobased?

Accepted Answer

“BIOBASED” is the term used to define those plastics whose monomers come from natural and not fossil resources. These renewable sources usually correspond to agricultural raw materials that are not used as food, such as remains of corn, cereals, sugar beets, cassava or sugarcane crops.
Biobased polymers help to avoid the depletion of fossil resources (petroleum) and considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Not all biobased polymers are biodegradable, some of them are and some are not, a biodegradable polymer must comply with many other requirements.
BIODEGRADABLE polymers are plastics that, at the end of their lifecycle, are completely assimilated by the microorganisms present in the environment. Biodegradation depends on many environmental factors such as humidity, location, temperature, etc.
Biodegradability is linked to the polymer chain and does not depend on the origin of the raw materials. Some biodegradable polymers are not biologically based.

Question 2

Oxodegradation versus Biodegradation ?

Accepted Answer

“OXODEGRADATION” is a chemical decomposition process in which matter is first oxidized and then fragments into pieces.
Oxodegradable polymers are conventional petroleum-based plastics, but include an additive in their composition that stimulates its fragmentation.
The oxidation process causes the plastic to become brittle and fragments into small parts. Although this seems an advantage, the oxodegradable polymers have a molecular structure that is not assimilated by the microorganisms present in nature, and all these small pieces of plastic become “MICROPLASTICS” that remain in nature forever.
Therefore, oxodegradable polymers are NOT COMPOSTABLE NOR ARE THEY BIODEGRADABLE. Thus, they do not represent an effective alternative to avoid the problem of plastic waste and neither do they reduce the depletion of fossil resources. Because of this they will shortly be prohibited in many countries.
“BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE” materials thanks to their structure are completely assimilated by the microorganisms and have no negative effect on the environment.
The additional industries are :
Jewellers and IT Industry

Question 3

What does Compostable Plastic mean?

Accepted Answer

Polymer or plastic that degrades through natural biological process/processes is called “compostable plastic”, whereby the said waste yields H2O, biomass, CO2 and chemical compounds lacking carbon-hydrogen bonds at a consistent rate along with compostable materials other than typical petroleum based plastics without emitting any toxic, visible or distinguishable remnants.

Question 4

Oxodegradation versus Biodegradation

Accepted Answer

“OXODEGRADATION” is a chemical decomposition process in which matter is first oxidized and then fragments into pieces.
Oxodegradable polymers are conventional petroleum-based plastics, but include an additive in their composition that stimulates its fragmentation.
The oxidation process causes the plastic to become brittle and fragments into small parts. Although this seems an advantage, the oxodegradable polymers have a molecular structure that is not assimilated by the microorganisms present in nature, and all these small pieces of plastic become “MICROPLASTICS” that remain in nature forever.
Therefore, oxodegradable polymers are NOT COMPOSTABLE NOR ARE THEY BIODEGRADABLE. Thus, they do not represent an effective alternative to avoid the problem of plastic waste and neither do they reduce the depletion of fossil resources. Because of this they will shortly be prohibited in many countries.
“BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE” materials thanks to their structure are completely assimilated by the microorganisms and have no negative effect on the environment.
The additional industries are :
Jewellers and IT Industry

Question 5

What does Compostable Plastic mean?

Accepted Answer

Polymer or plastic that degrades through natural biological process/processes is called “compostable plastic”, whereby the said waste yields H2O, biomass, CO2 and chemical compounds lacking carbon-hydrogen bonds at a consistent rate along with compostable materials other than typical petroleum based plastics without emitting any toxic, visible or distinguishable remnants.

Question 6

What does “Bioplastic” mean?

Accepted Answer

The vagueness of the word “bio-plastic” or even “bio-polymer” for that matter leads to inappropriate use of these terms. Having similar concepts, they can be differentiated on the basis of the type of plastic, its origin and the waste management system of each.
All bio based polymers which are built on renewable sources are known to be bio based “Bioplastics”. Although their biodegradability is not a sure result.
Biodegradable “Bioplastics” on the other hand is a promising process. Those plastics or polymers that decompose on interaction with natural bacteria of the environment and do not emit any harmful remainders are known as biodegradable “Bioplastics”. 
These polymers are certified as “compostable” if they are in accordance with the rules of the regulatory bodies of the corresponding states. They do not necessarily have to be biobased. 
Our  bio polymers known as “Bio-plastobags”, are a better replacement to the conventional petroleum-based plastics that are environmentally hazardous

Question 7

What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable?

Accepted Answer

All those materials whose molecular structure is such that it allows to be completely assimilated and broken down by nature’s microorganisms can be safely termed as “biodegradable” and “compostable.”However, the basic difference that defines the two terms apart is the way the biodegradation conditions are controlled by human arbitration in accordance with a certain standard in addition to being ascribed as a compost.
Biodegradable polymers do not require any human intervention in its gradual process of naturally becoming nutrients or biomass in different environmental conditions of sea, soil, land, water or anaerobic digestion.
Compostable polymers on the other hand, cannot degrade on their own but have to be carried out in industrial compost plants or home composting containers under the control of certain specific conditions such as humidity, time limit, temperature or microorganism exposure to be metamorphosed into compost.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might also like