Plastic is everywhere, but not all plastics are created equal. So, how do bio-plastics and oil-based plastics impact the environment?

Petroleum-based plastics take hundreds of years to degrade, polluting our oceans and land, while bioplastics offer a more sustainable alternative, breaking down quicker in the right conditions.

Let's explore how these materials differ and their impact on our planet.

What are petroleum-based plastics?

Petroleum-based plastics are synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels, often used in everyday items like packaging, bottles, and containers.

Petroleum-based plastics are made from oil or natural gas, and they persist in the environment for centuries, contributing to pollution.

Petroleum-based plastics, or traditional plastics, are created from oil or natural gas. These materials are durable, cheap, and versatile, which is why they’re so widely used in everything from food packaging to bottles and even clothes.

However, the downside is significant: these plastics can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, leading to huge piles of waste. They don't break down easily and can harm wildlife, pollute oceans, and damage ecosystems. It’s a classic case of convenience now, with a heavy environmental price later.

What is the difference between a bioplastic and an oil-based plastic?

The key difference between bioplastics and oil-based plastics lies in their source material and biodegradability.

Bioplastics are derived from renewable plant materials, while oil-based plastics come from non-renewable fossil fuels, making bioplastics a more sustainable option.

Bioplastics are made from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, and other plant materials. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, which are derived from fossil fuels¹, bioplastics are often designed to be more sustainable and biodegradable.

One of the main advantages of bioplastics is that they can be produced from renewable resources, reducing dependence on finite oil reserves. They also tend to break down much faster than traditional plastics when exposed to the right conditions, making them a better option for reducing long-term waste.

While bioplastics are a great alternative, they are not perfect. Some types still require specific conditions to break down (like industrial composting), and not all bioplastics are fully biodegradable.

Do bioplastics leave microplastics?

Yes, some bioplastics may still break into microplastics, but they tend to degrade faster than traditional plastics.

Bioplastics can leave microplastics, but their environmental impact is generally smaller compared to oil-based plastics, as they break down more quickly.

Bioplastics, like their petroleum counterparts, can break down into smaller particles over time, creating microplastics. However, bioplastics tend to degrade more quickly under the right conditions (e.g., industrial composting). In contrast, oil-based plastics can persist for centuries without breaking down fully.

The problem with microplastics is that they’re incredibly difficult to clean up once they enter the environment. They can end up in our oceans, waterways, and even our food. While bioplastics are less likely to accumulate for as long, they still pose a risk if not disposed of properly.

What are the environmental effects of bioplastics?

Bioplastics are generally better for the environment, but their production and disposal still have an impact.

While bioplastics are a step forward, their production still requires energy and resources. Their full environmental effect depends on the material and how they're disposed of.

Bioplastics may sound like the ideal solution, but their environmental impact depends on a number of factors. For example, producing bioplastics often requires land, water, and energy—resources that could otherwise be used to grow food or conserve nature. While they don’t contribute to fossil fuel depletion, they still have a carbon footprint.

Additionally, not all bioplastics are compostable at home or in industrial settings. Many require specialized treatment to break down properly. If they end up in landfills or the ocean without these conditions, they may still pose a problem, taking years to degrade and leaching chemicals into the environment.

However, bioplastics² do have one clear advantage over oil-based plastics: they have the potential to reduce plastic waste. If properly produced, used, and disposed of, bioplastics can reduce the amount of harmful plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans.

Conclusion

Both bioplastics and oil-based plastics have significant environmental impacts, but bioplastics are a step in the right direction for reducing plastic pollution.