Introductory Chapter: Bioplastics as Substitutes to Petroplastics

1. Introduction

Plastics are utilized practically everywhere, including in everyday household packaging materials, bottles, printers, cell phones, and more. Additionally, it is used by manufacturing sectors including pharmaceuticals and autos. Since single-use plastics contribute approximately 60% of the yearly production of plastic garbage, there have been focused efforts in recent years to reduce their use [1, 2]. Although plastics have many benefits, they also have some drawbacks. For example, because they do not break down quickly, the original products may remain in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years, leading to pollution and a significant environmental problem. In addition, the majority of plastics come from fossil fuels, which are finite and non-renewable. These natural resources are running out extremely quickly due to the overproduction of plastic and its waste products [1, 3]. Owing to their large greenhouse gas emissions and high carbon footprint, petroplastics produced from the petrochemical industries are not sustainable anymore [4]. For this reason, there is growing interest in identifying materials with similar qualities to petroleum-based plastics to manage plastic waste on Earth by identifying environmentally friendly substitutes [1, 2].

2. Why bioplastics?

Bioplastics are substitutes to the regular petroplastics [5]. The negative environmental impacts of producing as well as recycling petroplastics can be avoided through the conversion of biomass into bioplastics [6]. Additionally, bioplastics have enormous number of uses and applications, besides a large economic opportunity [7]. A plastic material is considered a bioplastic if it is either bio-based, biodegradable, or possesses both qualities, according to European Bioplastics [8]. Bioplastics are a family of materials with a variety of uses and characteristics. They are recyclable but may or may not be biodegradable. The mechanical characteristics are fairly comparable to those obtained from fossils. For instance, bio-sourced PE and bio-PVC from sugarcane [1, 2]. One of the most sustainable carbon upcycling viewpoints that is gaining a lot of attention these days is the utilization of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, for the production of bioplastic. In the long run, it will encourage the creation of bioplastics with a low carbon impact [2].

3. What are bioplastics?

Bioplastics are biopolymers processed from biomass and are biodegradable [5]. The development of bioplastics now relies heavily on agricultural products for its raw materials, which indirectly threatens food security [9]. Therefore, utilizing biologically derived organic wastes will help reduce our reliance on crops and could perhaps help manage waste more efficiently [9].

Bioplastics can be produced from biomass such as agriculture sector residues and food waste through bioconversion processes. For instance, bioplastics can be produced from potato peels and banana peels [5, 7] as well as wastes rich in starch and carbohydrates (Figure 1).

There are several types of bioplastics (Figure 2) such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS), which are bio-based and compostable [10]. Thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactides (PLA), poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB), and its co-polymers (PHAs) are the supreme substantial biopolymers presently appealing interest.

As an exceptional combination of life sciences and engineering, the multidisciplinary research field of synthetic biology can provide novel pathways for the reformation of biosynthesis methods for biomass processing harmoniously and can ultimately develop low-cost, effective bioprocesses of biomass into decomposable bioplastics [11].

4. What is circular bioeconomy?

A circular bioeconomy is a nature-driven bio-based economy. It is a new-fangled economic model that points up the usage of renewable bioresources and concentrates on minimalizing waste and substituting the multitude of varieties of fossil-based non-renewable products presently in consumption.

The circular bioeconomy is the nexus of the two new ideas—the bioeconomy and the circular economy. Figure 3 summarizes the discussion surrounding the connection between the bioeconomy and the circular economy [12].

The bioeconomy provides a comprehensive, multisectoral strategy that has a great chance of mitigating climate change in different ways. There are numerous opportunities to lower anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including storing carbon in bio-based products, storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere in biomass from plants and microorganisms, and replacing fossil fuel-based feedstocks, inputs, and products with bio-based ones [13, 14].

Petroplastics are one of these products that ought to be replaced by eco-friendly bioplastics, which can convert up to 90% of the organic carbon into CO₂ in 180 days. After the product’s useful life, the carbon can return to the biosphere as CO₂ [12].

5. Conclusion

Humans, wildlife, marine life, and the environment are all at risk from synthetic plastics derived from petrochemicals, as is the quick buildup of plastic garbage. Considering the extent to which the production of synthetic plastics will eventually deplete petrochemical resources and pollute the environment worldwide.

Utilizing organic waste from biological origins for bioplastic production not only lessens our reliance on edible feedstock but also effectively aids in solid waste management as part of an expanding circular bioeconomy. Biodegradable bioplastics can have the same qualities as traditional plastics while also offering additional benefits due to their low carbon footprint (e.g., full biodegradability to CO₂ without harmful byproducts).