ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDE

Bioplastics

A sustainable alternative or just a partial solution?

Bioplastics are becoming increasingly important as a potentially environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics. They are made from renewable raw materials or are biodegradable. This makes them appear sustainable at first glance, but the issue is complex: while some bioplastics actually contribute to the reduction of fossil raw materials, there are challenges in terms of production, disposal and recyclability. This report looks at the different types of bioplastics, their benefits and limitations, and their actual environmental footprint.

Alongside climate change, plastic is considered the biggest man-made environmental problem. Plastic waste is destroying the oceans, promoting global warming and species extinction. Microplastics damage the health of plants, animals and humans. However, with growing environmental awareness, there was initially hope that bioplastics could offer a saving alternative.

However, many of these materials have now come under fire, as some are neither biodegradable nor harmless.¹ In fact, however, there is a problem of understanding that goes hand in hand with the confusion between biobased and biodegradable.

What actually is a bioplastic?

Bioplastics have a longer history than what we are familiar with today as plastic, namely plastic made from fossil materials such as crude oil. The production of celluloid began as early as 1869. This plastic is based on cellulose, a renewable raw material obtained from plants. The entire history of cinema, for example, is closely linked to celluloid, from which films are made, right up to the digital age. Everyone is also familiar with cellophane, which was mass-produced as early as 1923 for transparent films and many other products.

Bioplastics are primarily made from vegetable oils and fats, sawdust, food waste, straw, corn, maize, bamboo and potatoes. These provide raw materials such as sugar, starch, cellulose and lignin. They are now used to make a wide variety of products, from disposable tableware, bin liners and packaging materials to furniture.

For a long time, these plastics made from renewable raw materials were replaced by cheaper, mineral oil-based plastics such as Bakelite. Only the ecological crisis brought them back into the spotlight. From 1980 onwards, new bioplastics were developed, such as polylactides (PLA), cellulose acetate and thermoplastic starch (TPS). 

How exactly are bioplastics defined?

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommends the term biobased polymers as a distinction from polymers made from fossil materials and as a replacement for the discredited term "bioplastics". It points out that bio-based polymers are not considered superior until this has been proven on the basis of the life cycle of the material.²

Consequently, high demands must be placed on bioplastics so that they stand out positively from conventional plastics. Developments in recent years with new materials, also known as novel bioplastics and drop-ins, such as "liquid wood" made from lignin, give rise to great hope. 

Important distinction between bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics

The terms bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics are often confused, but refer to different properties. Here is a clear distinction:

Only some of the materials often referred to as bioplastics meet ecological criteria. Biodegradable plastics can also lead to the production of greenhouse gases such as methane.

Biobased plastics can in turn have disadvantages due to the energy required for their production or the fact that they take up agricultural land for food production. Only certain materials are actually compostable within 12 weeks in the sense prescribed by the technical standard DIN EN 13432. It is therefore very important to understand these plastics in more detail.

Sustainable water filters thanks to bioplastics?

For long-lasting products with high demands on durability, water resistance and food safety, bioplastics quickly reach their limits. This is the case for disposable packaging or short-lived products with a clear disposal strategy. The recycling balance is also not as good as it seems. 

Conclusion: Bioplastics - not a universal solution

Bioplastics are often seen as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, but a differentiated view reveals their limitations. Although they can contribute to the reduction of fossil raw materials, their actual environmental balance depends heavily on the respective composition, disposal and production conditions. Bio-based plastics are not necessarily biodegradable, and biodegradable plastics often require special composting facilities, which severely limits their benefits in everyday life. In addition, they are increasingly being criticized due to problematic ingredients, recycling challenges and their resource requirements.

Bioplastics can be suitablefor short-lived products with a clear disposal strategy, but they are often unsuitable for long-lasting products with high demands on durability, water resistance and safety. In the field of water filtration in particular, it has been shown that bioplastics do not offer the hoped-for environmentally friendly solution. This is why Alb Filter consistently relies on certified materials suitable for drinking water, such as stainless steel and plastics, which guarantee maximum safety - without any questionable greenwashing promises.

FAQs - Bioplastics

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