Elizah_leigh_head_shot_august_2009

Bio Plastics VS. Regular Plastics -- Is Either One Doing Mother Nature Any Favors?

Posted by Elizah LeighUser517_level, Saturday, July 04 2009, 11:01 PM

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In the last several years, plastic has fast been perceived as the scourge of the Earth.

While global society is attempting to wean itself from the handy-dandy convenience of one-time use plastic bags and take out containers (among other items), manufacturers are attempting to develop alternatives that are more eco-friendly.

Consequently, a new category of plastics has emerged called "bioplastics" that go well beyond the biodegradable or compostable corn and starch-based versions.

Products made with certain types of bioplastics are renewable, eco-friendly substitutes for petroleum-based plastic.

Made of "biopolymers" (polymers manufactured from living, green cells), the plastics can be broken down by microorganisms and returned to the soil.

Bioplastics now include:

  1. petroleum-based plastics that are degradable
  2. natural-based plastics that are not necessarily biodegradable
  3. plastics that contain both petroleum-based and plant-based materials (some of which are biodegradable and some that are not)

Do you think that this a better alternative to traditional plastics?

Should our global society do away with plastic materials altogether?

More importantly, CAN WE COPE without the convenience of plastics?

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  • Dad5

    Surinder SainiUser306_level said on July 04, 2009

    In my judgement the lesser we use oil-based plastic the better it would be for the environment. Oil-based plastic, even if it is biodegradable, may leave a larger carbon footprint than would a plant-based non biodegradable plastic. The plant-based plastic may have disposal problems associated with it, but at least it leaves a smaller carbon footprint - an advantage should considered.
  • Lesautumn

    Leslie C.Apprentice said on July 11, 2009

    I think we can find a way to do without plastics - I am trying to stop using it in my house and I admit, I am struggling. I put ice cubes in plastic, freeze stuff in plastic, refrigerate stuff in plastic, etc. Also, what do we do about milk and other juices that come in plastic? Do we go back to glass?

    Anyway, when I do get rid of plastic, I put it in the recycle bin, not in the garbage. But I am concerned about all the chemical leaching from plastic that's in the news today. Makes me sick how contaminated our bodies are with all these chemicals.
    • Elizah_leigh_head_shot_august_2009

      Elizah LeighUser517_level said on July 11, 2009

      I'm beginning to think that stainless steel or glass containers for beverages are the answer -- you don't hear about chemicals leaching out into drinks from those materials. I've seen many organic milk brands packaged in large gallon-sized glass containers and I guess that you just have to have a steady hand while pouring. Maybe someone can design a universal siliconized sleeve that can fit snugly over all glass bottles for us klutzes (or maybe I'm the only one in that category). If our grandparents could deal, then surely we can. I wouldn't mind going back to basics like that. I agree with you about the fear of chemical contamination -- it's out of control and all of us have to detox our bodies before we get sick.

      I'm not sure about how to pull off the ice cube thing, but something just popped into my head. My grandma used to have an aluminum ice cube tray with some sort of lever thingie that she could pull back in order to release the cubes. I bet you that those will come back into style. Pretty soon, you'll see them sold at Crate & Barrel for $29.99 a pop. I wish I could just make them myself...I kind of like the idea of chemical free ice.
      • Backcover1

        Alexandra GnoskeUser358_level said on July 11, 2009

        The thing about plant based anything, including plastics, but also including bio fuels, etc. is what plant is it, it is a genetically modified plant, and how is it grown, i.e. with tons of pesticides. We aren't doing ourselves any favors here by using GMO corn, heavily sprayed with pesticides to rid ourselves of oil based plastic. We are killing ourselves in a whole different way.

        It's unfortunately not "the" answer. We have enough smart people out there, someone should come up with a better way.

        I've tried to with my one small business, but that only addresses cotton. I'm hoping my one small business becomes a very large business and makes a big difference. So far the only place I'm aware of in my business where I've encountered plastic is in the box I buy my safety pins to attach labels to the shirts.
    • Backcover1

      Alexandra GnoskeUser358_level said on July 11, 2009

      I try to avoid plastic, and I buy food from a local organic distribution company, Timber Creek Farms. They offer, from other companies, orange juice and milk in glass bottles. It's one of the reasons I order from them weekly. I can't stand the plastic, and even worse, the non-recyclable containers the juice comes in.

      Also, the amount of plastic that floats and makes it's way around the world, to uninhabited islands and the ocean in general, is enough to make anyone sick (and many sea animals). It's an important effort, and I hope everyone tries to reduce their plastic consumption and make sure the stuff they do use gets recycled.
      • Holi_--_festival_of_colors

        Linda LucilleUser2449_level said on July 11, 2009

        Amen to that, sistah! ;)
      • Holi_--_festival_of_colors

        Linda LucilleUser2449_level said on July 11, 2009

        Amen to that, sistah! ;)
  • 2007-183

    Sandy SpellApprentice said on July 11, 2009

    Yes, we survived without plastics many years ago, and we can survive once again. It is a matter of convenience for people to continue to live life the 'plastic' way. I blogged on this a while back and swore off plastics. After learning about the personal health issues derived from plastics, not to mention the environment, I decided I make a change and go back to what IS safe, glass. I use glass containers for food storage, for drinking, stainless steel container for carrying water, paper for trash and so on.

    Sandy

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