Sustainability
Sustainability
The Problem with Conventional
Plastics
Plastics
Synthetic plastics do not easily biodegrade, some take hundreds of years to break down and remain toxic in soil and water. Even when plastics do break down, they become microscopic particles that continue to release toxins that remain in the environment.
Microplastics find their way into the water cycle and return to the land as rain. Therefore, plastics are now found in the air, the soil, the oceans, and the rivers around the world. It is estimated that people are eating and inhaling increasing amounts of microplastic particles every day.
Plastic pollution could cost the world’s economy as much as $2.5 trillion, and is negatively impacting various species in different ways, often leading to death. In 2019, a pregnant whale off the coast of Italy was found dead with 49 pounds of plastic in its stomach. Plastics have also been found in the digestive tracts of other animals like dolphins and sea turtles.
A study published in 2019 said that the plastic pollution in our oceans is suffocating the planet – by harming the tiny microorganisms that are “responsible for up to 10 percent of … total global oxygen production.”
Single-use plastics present the most pressing problem. Items such as plastic bags, bottles and packaging that are used once and discarded, but remain in the environment and end up in our waterways.
The Problem with
Conventional
Plastics
Synthetic plastics do not easily biodegrade, some take hundreds of years to break down and remain toxic in soil and water. Even when plastics do break down, they become microscopic particles that continue to release toxins that remain in the environment.
Microplastics find their way into the water cycle and return to the land as rain. Therefore, plastics are now found in the air, the soil, the oceans, and the rivers around the world. It is estimated that people are eating and inhaling increasing amounts of microplastic particles every day.
Plastic pollution could cost the world’s economy as much as $2.5 trillion, and is negatively impacting various species in different ways, often leading to death. In 2019, a pregnant whale off the coast of Italy was found dead with 49 pounds of plastic in its stomach. Plastics have also been found in the digestive tracts of other animals like dolphins and sea turtles.
A study published in 2019 said that the plastic pollution in our oceans is suffocating the planet – by harming the tiny microorganisms that are “responsible for up to 10 percent of … total global oxygen production.”
Single-use plastics present the most pressing problem. Items such as plastic bags, bottles and packaging that are used once and discarded, but remain in the environment and end up in our waterways.
A plastic is defined as a bioplastic if it is either biobased,
biodegradable, or both. The term ‘biobased’ means that the
material or product is (partly) derived from plants – typically corn,
sugarcane, hemp, or cellulose.
A plastic is defined as a bioplastic if it is either biobased,
biodegradable, or both. The term ‘biobased’ means that the
material or product is (partly) derived from plants – typically corn,
sugarcane, hemp, or cellulose.
A plastic is defined as a bioplastic if it is either biobased, biodegradable, or both. The term ‘biobased’ means that the material or product is (partly) derived from plants – typically corn, sugarcane, hemp, or cellulose.
Why Sustainability Matters
Plastics have revolutionized the way humanity approaches day to day life. Single-use plastics in particular have reshaped every culture across the globe and continue to serve as key functions for everything, from government nuclear waste storage to party utensils. The need behind plastics will grow as we continue to adapt to a post pandemic economy. The concept of “single-use” or “disposable” are also ingrained in our communities. The economic and cultural forces demand that we re-invent our global plastic supply chains in favor of more sustainable products and manufacturing. Fully compostable bioplastics offer an end to end solution by being both derived from plants as well providing nutrients of those same plants.
What Can You Do?
Be Mindful – Look out for compostable when purchasing single use items like bags, cups, or utensils
Buy Local – Local purchasing reduces pollution from transportation
Buy in Bulk – Purchasing in bulk reducing the amount of packaging materials used
Upcycle – Repurposing old products not only reduces the need for new materials, but can also be a fun DIY project
Recycle – Reduce waste by considering reusable or recyclable products and companies that use recycled materials
Check out the following guide for more tips on building a sustainable life – Public Goods: How to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Additional Resources
Where biodegradable plastics biodegrade in soil and water, compostable plastics biodegrade into “soil conditioning material.”
An introduction and history of the harmful impact plastics have had in our environment and oceans by the Smithsonian.
Start Here for quick look at the plastics problem and some ways we can overcome them.
The Pew Charitable Trust has created a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of ways to stop plastic pollution.