BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

The capacity of a natural environment to chemically break down an object is referred to as

biodegradability.
The American Society of Testing and Materials defined biodegradable as the capacity of undergoing
decomposition into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass in which the predominant
mechanism is the enzymatic action of microorganisms, that can be measured by standardized tests, in a
specified period of time, reflecting available disposal action.
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will fully decompose to carbon dioxide, methane, water,
biomass and inorganic compounds under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
The biodegradability of a plastic depends on the chemical structure of the material and the constitution
of the final product. And not just on the raw materials used for its production.
Starch based biodegradable plastics may have starch content ranging from 10% - 90%. Often, starchbased polymers are blended with high performance polymers to achieve the necessary performance properties
for different applications. Starch based plastics have already been processed into eating utensils, plates, cups
and other products. There are several categories of starch based biodegradable plastics: (1) thermoplastic
starch products, (2) Starch Synthetic Aliphatic Polyester blends, (3) Starch PBS/PBSA polyester blends and (4)
Starch PVOH blends.
Biodegradable Polyester plays a predominant role as a biodegradable plastic due to their potentially
hydrolysable ester bond. Aromatic polyesters exhibit excellent material properties but they prove to be totally
resistant to microbial attack. Aliphatic polyesters, on the other hand, are readily biodegradable, but they lack
good mechanical properties that are critical for most applications. All polyesters degrade eventually with
hydrolysis being the dominant mechanism.
Positive Environmental Impacts:

Composting
Landfill degradation
Energy use
Greenhouse gas emissions

Negative Environmental Impacts:

Pollution of Aquatic environment

o Increased aquatic BOD
o Water transportable degradation products
o Risk to Marine Species
Litter
Compost Toxicity
Recalcitrant Residues
o Aromatic compounds
Additives and Modifiers
o Isocyanate Coupling Agents
o Plasticisers
o Fillers
o Catalyst Residues
Prodegradants and other additives
Source of raw materials