Bioplastics

Bioplastic: In this growing world with new developing technologies the field of science and research are emphasizing a more about sustainable development and research is also going on to find out the alternative of petroleum-based plastics, because plastic production is rising day to day and has already intensified the Global plastic waste pollution hence becoming a major source of global warming. So, as an alternative Bioplastics are gaining more popularity in the market. Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources and are Biodegradable which will lead to a decrement of 15-20% consumption of petroleum-based plastic by 2025. Bioplastics are the plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetables, fats, oils, corns, starch straws, sawdust, wood chips, recycled food wastes, etc. Some bioplastics are obtained directly from natural biopolymers including polysaccharides while others are synthesized from sugar derivatives from either plants or animals or biologically generated by fermentation of sugars or lipids. In contrast, common plastics or plastics that are derived from petroleum or natural gas are called petrol-based polymers it lacks the property of biodegradability whereas from the word we can understand Bio-based polymer or bioplastics have a property of biodegradability which makes them an alternative to petroleum-based polymers. This study aims to determine the current scenario of bioplastics in the market, Their applications, and its properties and to know why we can use it as an alternative source of petroleum-based bioplastics. Introduction In today’s world, plastic materials are an essential commodity in our daily life due to their  valuable properties both at the molecular level and at the market level. Worldwide annual plastic  production has increased tremendously from 1.5 million metric tons in 1950 to 359 million metric  tons in 2018. Plastics have properties such as high durability, resistance, easy to handle, and cost-effective due to all such valuable properties it leads to high demand and thus leads to uncontrollable over usage and improper disposal causes various environmental degradation. The increasing amount of plastic waste leading to “Landfill Problems” which has emerged as a crisis in many areas of the world because of the shrinking of landfill capacity and thus raising the  cost of the land. A huge number of plastic wastes accumulating in the oceans and thus leading to  “Oceanic pollution” and thus making a threat to the marine ecosystem and it has been estimated  that the mart of plastic waste in oceans going to surpass a large number of fishes by 2050. The  carbon footprint of Plastics is also high which increases the greenhouse gas effect in the atmosphere and further leading to “Global Warming”. The “Non-Biodegradable” property of plastics is also a  big challenge for the conservation of nonrenewable sources of energy for the future generations as the  current global scenario the price of petroleum also hiked markedly because of high demand and low  production leading to resource exploitation. Also, The incineration of plastic wastes produces several  harmful gases such as dioxins, furans, Mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls into the atmosphere,  and poses a threat to vegetation, and human and animal health. BIOPLASTIC OVERVIEW In recent years, these environmental/economic problems and social concerns have triggered the development of environmentally friendly materials such as bioplastics. Bioplastics is a novel material that shows us a road map towards sustainable development and waste management. Bioplastics production and consumption will grow bigger in the future world and because of this it is needed to be evaluated carefully for sustainability and waste management. In future Bioplastics  can be choose as an alternative resource over petroleum-based plastics. What are Bioplastic? Plastics which are deduced from renewable sources and similar to vegetables, bounce, potatoes, and other  agrarian remainders similar type of plastics are called bioplastics. Green plastics are composting in nature  thereby it gets demoralized fluently by the help of microorganisms therefore perfecting the soil fertility and  reducing tips not only this it also has a low carbon footmark which reduces emigration of the hothouse feasts, therefore, precluding global warming. It also has an analogous property similar like petroleum- grounded plastics  similar like continuity and because of all these parcels bioplastics also plays an important part in artificial  purpose similar to packaging, food diligence, motorcars, etc. Employment of new ways for manufacturing of  bioplastics that promote sustainable result and reduce the plastic waste has been greatly encouraged in recent  times and these plastics are new accoutrements of 21st century and have great significance. These are presently  used as packaging accoutrements, but in the future, these will be used in forming plastics are presently used in  forming colorful products similar as electronics and vehicle corridor. Types of Bioplastic Starch-based Bioplastics: It is derived from starch and it is obtained from potato, corn etc. Polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastic: It is produced from microorganisms such as PHV(PolyHydroxy Valerate) and PHH. Polylactic acid bioplastic: It is produced without undergoing any processing such like distillation and polymerization. It is obtained directly from biomass resources such like corn starch and sugarcane. Cellulose-based Bioplastics: These are mainly the cellulose ester and their derivatives. Ethyl cellulose is the only ether from which we can produce Bioplastics. Advantages and Challenges Of bioplastic 1. Saves Non-Renewable sources of energy as the biodegradable plastics help to conserve petroleum  supplies whereas the traditional plastics are manufactured by heating and treating oil under high  temperature. 2. Reduces Carbon Emissions and it is one of the most vital environmental concerns nowadays, so by  implementing bioplastics there will be significant reduction of carbon emission during its manufacturing  process. 3. Consumes less Energy during its manufacturing processes as they do not need any fossil fuels to be  recycled therefore as the energy requirement is less, so it ensures reduction in environmental pollution. 4. Eco-Friendly solution as the Bioplastics, are compostable in nature it requires proper recycling to  ensure the proper breakdown of plastic pieces. The requirement to properly dispose the Bioplastics which  automatically reduces the number of wastes otherwise this waste would send to landfills to discard them.  However, possible challenges might come along with the use of bioplastics.