Are biodegradable trash bags worth it?
Are Biodegradable Trash Bags Worth It?
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. Traditional plastics, which are neither biodegradable nor compostable, often end up in landfills or the ocean, causing long-term ecological damage.
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To combat pollution, new biodegradable plastics have been developed for common items like water bottles and trash bags, which break down faster than conventional plastics.
Understanding Biodegradable Plastics
The term "biodegradable" refers to plastics that decompose more quickly than standard plastics. However, such decomposition still takes time and depends on environmental conditions. Biodegradable plastics decompose naturally without releasing harmful pollutants, unlike their conventional counterparts. It's important not to confuse biodegradable with compostable; not all biodegradable plastics are suitable for composting.
What Are Eco-Friendly Garbage Bags?
Eco-friendly garbage bags are made from reusable, biodegradable, or compostable materials. While reusable bags may not be practical for trash, biodegradable and compostable options are available.
Biodegradable vs. Degradable
Degradable plastic bags contain chemicals and heavy metals, which can pollute the environment as they break down. This is particularly concerning for marine life that consumes microplastics.
Both biodegradable and degradable bags break down when exposed to heat and sunlight, but the difference lies in the materials used and the speed of decomposition.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable
Biodegradable bags contain microorganisms to accelerate decomposition, while compostable bags are made from natural plant starch and are toxin-free. Compostable bags can be used in compost systems, unlike biodegradable bags, which often aren't suitable for composting.
3 Myths About Biodegradable Plastic Bags
1. Biodegradable Plastics Can't Degrade Without Specific Conditions
Biodegradable plastics require air, moisture, and sunlight to degrade, which are often absent in landfills. As noted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills are designed to block these elements, hindering proper degradation.
2. Recycling Issues with Biodegradable Plastics
Biodegradable plastics typically can't be recycled with other plastics. A study showed that mixing #7 plastics with #1 and #2 plastics can contaminate the entire recycling load due to their different chemical compositions.
3. Potential Environmental Harm
In landfills, biodegradable plastics break down anaerobically, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than CO2. This contributes significantly to global warming.
What About Oxo-Biodegradable Bags?
There is ongoing debate about oxo-biodegradable plastics, which are not true bioplastics. These plastics contain additives that cause them to fragment rather than fully degrade, potentially leading to environmental harm.
Eco-Friendly Tips
- Use reusable shopping bags to reduce plastic consumption.
- Opt for compostable trash bags over biodegradable ones, as they truly decompose in compost systems.
Composting offers numerous environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Consider turning food scraps into compost to help the environment.
In Thailand, a significant amount of plastic waste is generated daily, much of it from single-use bags. Proper management and recycling of plastics are crucial to mitigating environmental impact. Every individual can make a difference by making more sustainable choices.
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