The magic solution of bioplastic?

Julio F. Campos

Bioplastics have occupied a prominent place in the petrochemical industry as the solution to the problem of dependence on fossil fuels.

Moreover, the strong environmental appeal due to its natural renewable origin makes it the main product in the sustainability policy debate.

Its Life Cicle Analysis, however, shows that the truth is just the opposite. Their production demands uniformity of raw material, which can only be obtained (to meet the market demand) through large scale monocultures, which are responsible for their implementation, among other impacts, for the extinction of local biodiversity (irreversible), To which it only increases as demand for productive area increases.

It can be argued that waste or by-products from agricultural processes are used, and therefore no significant impact is added to the stage of production of the raw material. It is important to remember that both the gasoline was waste discarded from the production of kerosene until it is discovered a use for it.

After the production of the polymer, its ecological compatibility for causing low aggression to the environment is pointed out as a reason for its use. The article below shows however that in the polymer's post-production chain for the industry, its carbon emissions are significantly higher.
Bioplastics should be discarded? Obviously not, although it is not yet discussed what the post-use fate is for them (interestingly, their biodegradability has been one of the biggest advertisements of their sustainable attribute, however, a few decades ago disposable products had similar appeal for facilitating people's lives)

Because there is no "deus ex machina" solution, particularly via technology, to environmental problems, its propaganda by petrochemical companies, as a great example of a sustainable action, must be viewed with at least suspicious attention and care because green marketing is more enjoyable to be seen in sustainability reports than the reality of the facts.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214010492

 Was this article interesting to you?
Please, share your experience with us bellow.