Surely you have noticed it: the switch to biodegradable and compostable plastics, known as bioplastics. Many businesses in Sedona have made the switch to these plastics for their to-go cups, boxes, flatware, and bags. These businesses are trying to do the right thing and show customers that they are environmentally conscious. But are bioplastics really better?
The answer, simply, is no. At least not yet, and not here in Sedona, where we do not yet – and may never – have a commercial composting facility.
What are bioplastics?
Bioplastics are plastics that are designed to break down rapidly in the environment. Their ability to biodegrade is linked directly to their chemical structure, not the material that they are made from. Many bioplastics are made from renewable sources such as corn, soy, and sugarcane, but some are made of nonrenewable petrochemicals with additives that speed up the degradation process.
Proponents of bioplastics will be disappointed to learn that most are typically made from genetically modified corn. The world’s largest producer of polylactic acid (PLA), the primary feedstock for many bioplastics, is NatureWorks, a subsidiary of Cargill. Cargill is the world’s largest provider of genetically modified corn seed.
The crops used as feedstock for bioplastics are typically sprayed with copious amounts of synthetic pesticides and treated with chemical fertilizers, greatly diminishing any benefits. In fact, some research has found that the environmental impact of bioplastics is higher than that of traditional plastics.
Because bioplastics are made from plants, they are also contributing to the global food crisis, as land used to cultivate edible crops is switched over to production of bioplastic feedstock.
Can bioplastics be recycled?
There are no bioplastics that can be recycled. In fact, items made from bioplastics can contaminate recyclable items, causing entire loads of recyclables to end up in the landfill.
Bioplastics often bear a #7 on the bottom, leading consumers to think that they are recyclable. However, because they are manufactured from different feedstock, bioplastics cannot be recycled along with petroleum-based plastics. Well-meaning recyclers place these bioplastic items in recycling bins, but sorting staff cannot usually tell the difference as they zoom by on the conveyor belt.
Bioplastic contamination could become a huge problem as the market for these items continues to grow exponentially. The impact on plastic recycling is not yet known, but it is sure to send many tons of perfectly recyclable material to the landfill.
Will bioplastics decompose in landfills?
They will, but we don’t want them to!
The use of bioplastics is touted as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the opposite is actually true when items made from these materials end up in the landfill, as most do.
Landfills are one of the top sources of methane, a greenhouse gas 72 times more potent than CO2. Methane is produced as items decompose in the anaerobic environment of a landfill. If we are trying to slow climate change, we need to prevent biodegradable materials from entering the landfill. Sending bioplastics to the landfill, which is where they all end up in areas without commercial composting facilities, will only increase our greenhouse gas emissions.
What are better alternatives to bioplastics?
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: reduce, reuse, recycle.
First, businesses need to work hard to reduce the amount of waste they are producing. Many customers will take their to-go items home, so they don’t need flatware or napkins. We encourage businesses to take a hard look at their waste both on-site and going out the door to see where they can cut back or eliminate.
Second, food service establishments should use reusable items whenever possible. Plates, napkins, cups, and flatware can all be washed and reused. Disposable items should only be used when customers are taking their items to go. Luckily, many disposable items such as bags, to-go boxes, napkins, and cups can be found that are made with 100% postconsumer material. Some businesses in Sedona are already using these and serve as a great example.
Third, businesses should have clearly labeled recycling bins. Before giving a customer a disposable item, businesses should provide a way to recycle it. Offering recycling on-site reminds customers that disposable items are recyclable and makes them conscious of their consumption and waste habits. Furthermore, it places the burden of disposal on the source of the disposable items – the business.
There is no such place as “away.” When we discard disposable items, regardless of what they are made of, they do not go “away,” they get buried in the landfill. So let’s all do our part – as businesses and individuals – to practice the most effective and proven way for reducing waste and reducing environmental impact: follow the tried and true Three Rs.
by Meghan Kincheloe, Sedona Recycles
Sedona Red Rock News
May 20, 2015