"“These bioplastics just aren’t ready for primetime.”"
"HOUSTON — The lack of federal regulations and clear definitions for bioplastics make it increasingly difficult to determine whether or not they are a safe alternative to traditional plastics, according to a new report from Beyond Plastics.
Since 1950 the world has produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, and about half was produced after 2000. Yet only 9% has been recycled, 12% was burned and a staggering 79% entered landfills. As the plastic pollution crisis looms, scientists, industry leaders and environmental advocates are searching for solutions — among them bioplastics, which are loosely defined as plastic materials that are either partly or wholly derived from renewable biomass like plants or are biodegradable or are both. The demand for bioplastics is growing, with its global market size estimated to go from 7.41 billion in 2024 to nearly 57 billion by 2032.
However, the new report raises concerns about harmful chemicals potentially making their way into bioplastics, a lack of regulatory oversight, and potential conflicts of interest in the currently available certifications.
The new report comes on the heels of an Environmental Health News investigation that found bioplastics can contain some of the same harmful chemicals as traditional petrochemical-derived plastic and often will not break down in current composting facilities."
Cami Ferrell reports for Environmental Health News July 11, 2024.
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