GROUP I MAINS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BIOPLASTICS ARE BEING PROPOSED AS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTICS. IN THIS CONTEXT, EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIOPLASTICS AND ALSO EXPLAIN THE IMPACT OF BIOPLASTICS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

         Bioplastics are biodegradable materials. They are developed from renewable resources like biomass. They used to reduce the problem of plastic waste.

Types of bioplastics:

• Cellulosed based plastics are made from wood pulp and they are used for making film materials such as wrappers.
• Thermo plastics are starch based plastics. They are used for production of drug capsules.
• Poly hydroxy butrate (PHB) is used for making
  bank notes and carpets etc.,
• Polymide II : It is prepared from vegetable oils and used for making oil and flexible pipes etc.,

Impact of Bioplastics on environment.

Positives :

• Bioplastics are better than petro plastics interms of fossil fuel consumption, energy, efficiency etc.,
• They are easy to recycle . They don't contain additives which are harmful to health.
  They donot change the flavour of the food contained.
• They reduce the carbon footprint because they do not consume the non renewable resources.
• They all ready used in Agriculture, textile, industry, medicine etc in Europe and USA for their ecological reason.

Negatives:

• All bioplastics are not biodegradable.
• In 2009, Central pollution control board tested the samples and found that only 40% of them are biodegradable.
• People cannot differentiate bioplastics from regular plastics in the trash.
• Bioplastics are inferior to petroplastcs in terms of cost and applicability.

          It is better for Alternative techniques which are more environmental friendly. Ex: Composting and making people aware about the importance of waste management and protecting environment.