Diary 272: Use of bioplastics

Diary 272: Use of bioplastics

Now, those in business have come up with this product called “bioplastics”.

What are they?

Bioplastics, just like the normal plastics, are made of synthetic polymers.

It is just that plant materials are used instead of oil to obtain the carbon and hydrogen needed for polymerisation.

As consumers, we need to know that bioplastics may or may not be biodegradable, may or may not be toxic.

For example, a plastic such as high-density polythylene (HDPE) can be 100% bio-based (e.g. 100% organic hemp), and yet still be non-biodegradable.

Some bioplastics are indeed biodegradable. The problem is that there is no agreement on what this really means, and under what circumstances.

(Source: Manuel Maqueda (2010), The bioplastic labyrinth, Utusan Konsumer Nov-dec 2010.)

My view: Avoid doing something we are not sure. Hence, avoid using plastics and bioplastics.