![]() Sustainability Metrics: Life Cycle Assessment and Green Design in Polymers. Microplastics with adsorbed contaminants: Mechanisms and Treatment. H., Liang, Y., Kim, M., Byun, J., & Choi, H. ![]() A review on the occurrence and influence of biodegradable microplastics in soil ecosystems: Are biodegradable plastics substitute or threat? Environment International, 163, 107244. Long story short, there is hope, with scientific and processing advances, that bioplastics can be the answer to many of our plastic problems, but as it currently stands, the situation can be summarized by the authors of one of the aforementioned reports, who have concluded after deep study that “At present, the performance of bioplastics is worse than that of conventional plastics” (Fan et al. On the other hand, a life-cycle study of bioplastics (Tabone et al., 2010) indicates that these bioplastics do indeed produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions as they break down in landfills compared to traditional plastics, since they are partially made from carbon-sequestering plants. There are also indications that the plant-based material portion of some bioplastics can release cytotoxic pollutants during brief stages of their breakdown. Moreover, they release micro plastics at a faster rate (Fan et al., 2022, Wei et al., 2021). Several studies have confirmed confirmed that bioplastics, just like regular plastics, also release these harmful micro plastics at levels at least equaling that of traditional plastics. Worse still, these micro plastics act as carriers of other harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals, pharmaceutical toxicants, per- and poly-flouoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and even pathogenic bacteria and viruses (Joo et al., 2021, Wojnowska-Baryła et al., 2022). These micro plastics leach into the environment through the water supply and they accumulate as animals (including humans!) drink them or eat them in the form of plants. Traditional (petroleum-based) plastic garbage bags break down into micro plastics very slowly in landfills (Wojnowska-Baryła et al., 2022). Unfortunately, plastic mostly breaks down into very small, and very harmful, pieces known as micro plastics, which probably persist in the environment for thousands of years. Plastic consists of chains of carbon, which is not itself toxic, if plastic could be entirely broken down. Here’s an report of the “ life cycle of supermarket carrier bags” ![]() We think there are good reasons for doing both. If you take into account the whole life cycle of a trash bag, you might choose one of the plastic-based options discussed above. If it’s important to you to prevent plastic from entering the environment at any stage, paper bags may be a great option for you. Knowing this, choosing a trash bag is a question of your priorities. Studies widely agree that plastic bags are less ecologically costly to manufacture than paper. Finally, a life-cycle study of paper bags shows that their manufacturing process emits more carbon and uses more water (about four times as much!) than manufacturing the equivalent number of plastic bags. They also cost more and take up more space in a landfill because they are larger and heavier than plastic trash bags. Rather, like plastic, it takes many years for paper to degrade because the landfill environment is low in light, oxygen, and moisture. Also, studies indicate that paper does not break down as quickly in a landfill as many people assume. However, consider that paper holds up poorly to the levels of moisture that occur in most types of kitchen trash-even if you separate compost. Paper bags seem like a great option because they introduce less plastic into the environment. Thanks for the response and great question!
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