Bioplastics

Prompts:
1. Do you know how much plastic we use in a day?
2. What do you think is Bio-plastic?
3. Do you recycle?
4. Do you drink bottled water?
5. What do you do to reduce plastic in your daily life?
6. How many plastic bottles do you buy in a week on average?
7. Paper bags, cloth bags or plastic bags while shopping?
8. Do you agree to buy ₹ 3-10 worth jute bags over free polythene bags while purchasing goods at the store?
9. On your way here, how many plastic items have you carried you think?

Roadmap to the project

Why do we need Bioplastics?
Bioplastics are needed for several reasons. First, they are made from
renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or vegetable oils, which
reduces our reliance on finite fossil fuels. Second, bioplastics have the
potential to be more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics,
as they can be biodegradable or compostable, reducing the impact of
plastic waste on the environment. Additionally, they can help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions during production. Finally, bioplastics can also
have potential applications in medical implants and other sensitive areas
where traditional plastics may not be suitable.

What are bioplastics, exactly?

Some say bioplastics—made from 20 percent or more of renewable
materials—could be the solution to plastic pollution.These are plastics
that can naturally break down over time through the action of
microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi.Bioplastics are currently used
in disposable items like packaging, containers, straws, bags and bottles,
and in non-disposable carpet, plastic piping, phone casings, 3D printing,
car insulation and medical implants.

➔ There are two main types of bioplastics:

1. PLA (polylactic acid) is typically made from the sugars in corn

starch, cassava or sugarcane. It is biodegradable, carbon-neutral
and edible. Basically, to transform corn into plastic.
[This is done by corn kernels being immersed in sulfur dioxide and hot water,
where its components break down into starch, protein, and fiber. The kernels
are then ground and the corn oil is separated from the starch.]

PLA can look and behave like polyethylene (used in plastic films,
packing and bottles), polystyrene (Styrofoam and plastic cutlery)
or polypropylene (packaging, auto parts, textiles). Minnesota-based
NatureWorks is one of the largest companies producing PLA under the
brand name Ingeo.

2. PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) is made by microorganisms, sometimes

genetically engineered, that produce plastic from organic
materials. The microbes are deprived of nutrients like nitrogen,
oxygen and phosphorus, but given high levels of carbon.Because it
is biodegradable and will not harm living tissue, PHA is often used
for medical applications such as sutures, slings, bone plates and
skin substitutes; it is also used for single-use food packaging.
Where is all the plastic?
If you answered everywhere, you’re probably not far off. This is a
versatile material hence, plastic is also lurking in some little known
places. When you take a careful look around your
home, the sheer number of things you’ll find containing plastic may
surprise you.

● Food packaging- Cereals, crackers, snacks, and many teas and

coffees come in plastic. Most cheese, meat, and yogurt is packed in
plastic, as are many condiments.’
● Milk (including soy and nut milk) cartons- Waxed cardboard contains
approximately 20% plastic and 80% paper.
● Metal cans- often lined with plastic.
● Personal care products- plastic bottles and tubes, many shampoos,
gels, creams, moisturizers, and make up contain synthetic polymers
(read: plastic). Some may also contain microbeads.
● Dental floss and disposable razors- often made from plastic base
materials.
● Synthetic fabrics- Polyester, nylon, rayon, and acrylic yarns and
fabrics are all made from plastic. When washed, these materials
shed millions of microscopic plastic fibers that eventually wind up
in waterways.
● Baby wipes and diapers- From their inner layer to their waterproof
outer cover, disposable diapers are made from plastic. Super
absorbent polymer makes up the absorbent inner core, while the
outer layer is usually a petroleum-based plastic or a
plastic-treated fabric.
● Feminine hygiene products- The average disposable sanitary napkin
contains about two grams of plastic.
● Wrapping paper is often a mix of plant fibers and laminated
plastic. Tape, glitter, and stickers also contain plastic.
● Chewing gum- [Yes, even gum] One common ingredient included in the
“gum base” listed gum labels is polyvinyl acetate.
● Cigarette filters- Contain cellulose acetate, a form of plastic.
● Glues [including school glue and wood glue]- contain polyvinyl
acetate, a type of plastic. The glues used to seal tea bags include
polypropylene, another plastic.
● Coffee cups- Even those that appear to be made from paper often
have plastic in the lining.
Plastic usage in india
The biggest concern with plastic waste in India is not the amount of
waste produced but ineffective waste management, such as improperly
collecting and recycling waste.
Currently, the primary focus is collecting, managing, and properly
disposing of plastic waste. As we all know, the demand for new products
and technology has grown over the last two decades, resulting in greater
plastic consumption.
Although it is true that we, Indians,re-use rather than re-cycle. On a
“ghar-se-ghar-tak” basis, only a few handful of us actually throw away
the polythene bags and plastic take-away food containers that we usually
get through purchases after all, it is a norm to find peas instead of
appetizing ice-creams in ice-cream tubs whilst also finding pickles
instead of jam in jars.However, the problem arises when plastic cannot be
reused anymore and now needs to be managed wisely.
India's yearly plastic consumption per person every year is 5.3kg while
the global average value is 20.9kg. Overshoot day- the date when the
amount of plastic waste outweighed the countries ability to manage it was
“January 6 2023”. India currently ranks fourth in the MWI (Mismanaged
Waste Index)according to the EA (Environmental Assessment) report.

Alternatives to plastic
➔ Stainless steel:
Tough and easy to clean, stainless steel options for reusable food
and beverage storage have multiplied in recent years.
➔ Glass:
While not biodegradable, glass is inert, inexpensive and infinitely
recyclable. And since many food items come packaged in glass,
upcycling glass jars into food storage is a no-cost way to give
your food packaging new life.
➔ Platinum silicone:
Made primarily of sand, food grade platinum silicone is flexible
and durable. It’s also heat tolerant, so you can boil, bake, and
cook in these products without danger of denaturing.
➔ Beeswax-coated cloth:
Used primarily as a replacement for plastic wrap and plastic bags,
beeswax-coated fabric is easy to use and easy to clean. It also
smells great.
➔ Natural fiber cloth:
Natural cloth can replace plastic bags. Sustainable clothing made
from organic cotton, wool, hemp, or bamboo won’t shed plastic
fibers when washed.
➔ Wood:
A renewable resource, wood from sustainably-managed forests can
replace plastic in household items like cleaning brushes, kitchen
utensils, and cutting boards.
 ➔ Bamboo:
This fast-growing renewable resource can replace plastic in items
like tableware and drinking straws. It is lightweight, durable, and
compostable.
➔ Pottery and Other Ceramics:
For millennia, pottery and other fired ceramics have offered a
stable, waterproof alternative that’s good for food storage and
tableware. Look for non-toxic glazes.
➔ Cardboard:
Cardboard is fully compostable at home as long as it’s not coated
in, you guessed it, plastic.

Plastic vs Gelatin
Although there are many more alternatives to plastics, our project
stresses upon the use of gelatin plastic. Composed of gelatine, glycerine
and plant-based starch, these biodegradable biomaterials have several
characteristics. It feels similar to leather and provides similar
toughness and durability, with the advantage of eventually biodegrading
in water or soil.

Biodegradation in Soil:
Gelatin plastic is much more biodegradable than traditional plastic

Biodegradation in Water:
As shown by previous research, gelatin degrades more as the temperatures
heighten. It also breaks apart more with the longer it is left in water.
However, Plastic does not degrade as much.

Economic Feasibility:
If gelatin plastics last longer, are more biodegradable, are healthier
for humans, and are inexpensive, then they would be a feasible
alternative to conventional plastics.

[Depiction of Gelatin samples]