TIME MAGAZINE ENQUIRY “THE DIRTY SECRET OF ALTERNATIVE PLASTICS”

The TIME Magazine, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, published the story “The Dirty Secret of Alternative Plastics”.

Today, approximately 40% of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes, and little of it is easily recycled. Yet the long-term consequences are enormous: The production of plastic, 98% of which is sourced from fossil fuels, is the cause of some 10% of all global greenhouse-gas emissions.

One proposed solution is to replace these plastics with alternatives: biodegradable utensils, compostable wrappers, plant-based bottles, and compressed-fiber plates and bowls.

In a globalized market where produce comes from all corners of the world, one country’s ban on plastic only really works when every other country opts to do the same: a global ban would encourage competition and economic incentives, leading to lower prices for compostable versions.

Many compostable products are still partially derived from fossil fuels. The technology exists to make fully compostable, plant-based plastics, but doing so is much more expensive than conventional plastics and is not always an effective solution, especially if bioplastics are used to package acidic, liquid foods or foods requiring long-term storage.

The biggest problem is that the infrastructure to ensure these bioplastics actually biodegrade or compost is very limited.

More info at the following link.