Bio Plastic Essay

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Biodegradable Plastics by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow Introduction Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to be a good alternative to conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegradable plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situation, biodegradables may or may not be the best solution depending on numerous factors such as how the products are used, how they are disposed of, and how the waste is managed. The history of biodegradable plastic products started out badly. The first generation of degradable plastics, polyolefin-starch materials, did not degrade as claimed. 1 Over a 16 month period in the early 1990s, 48 separate legal actions were taken for misleading or deceitful environmental advertising. The highest number these actions were on claims of biodegradable plastics and on the use of the terms “biodegradable” and “recyclable.”2 Since that time, universal standards have been developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), new materials have been introduced, and a compostable logo has been developed to guide consumers in their decision-making. The implementation of disposal and treatment systems for biodegradable and compostable plastic products creates unique challenges. Careful consideration of products and implementation is important prior to program initiation. The University of Colorado is considering biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics in their Grab-n-Go venues. Lauren Heising, Kerry Paterson, and other members of Dining Services at CU have requested research and information on biodegradable packaging in order to make informed purchasing decisions and make progress in their commitment to a sustainable future. Objective The objective of this project is to review the current standards for biodegradable and compostable plastic

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