Bioplastics.

What are bioplastics?

To date, there is no standardized definition, but a distinction is made between two characteristics of bioplastics: 1. bio-based and 2. biodegradable According to the Federal Environment Agency, bio-based products are made partly or completely from renewable raw materials, which can be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Promotional items made from bio-based plastic include bamboo tableware and organic buttons made from natural raw materials. You can find more examples in our store. According to DIN EN 13432, biodegradable means that a material decomposes (after a specified time and under ideal composting conditions) to more than 90% water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and biomass. The three most common degradable plastics are currently starch plastics, polylactide (PLA) and polyhydroxy fatty acids (PHF). In addition to cellulose and sugar, the main basic components are starch, which is primarily obtained from corn, wheat and potatoes. Promotional items made from biodegradable plastic include fruit gum sachets, soap dishes, ballpoint pens and drinking bottles made from sugar cane.

Biodegradability.

Promotional items made from compostable plastic are compostable. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, biodegradable plastics decompose considerably faster. Articles that are certified in accordance with DIN 13432 undergo the decomposition process in an industrial composting plant within a maximum of 90 days. Compared to conventional plastics, this is a very short period of time and no toxic or inorganic residues remain.

Industrial composting.

Nevertheless, bioplastics do not belong in organic waste. Industrial composting plants often work with significantly shorter throughput cycles. This means that organic waste only has half the time to break down into its components; the fragments remain too large for recycling. As the quantity of compostable plastics is currently still too low and the energy required for the plants is too high, longer throughput times for single-origin bioplastics are currently neither ecologically nor economically sensible. For these reasons, the disposal of bioplastics via the recycling system (dual system / yellow bag or garbage can) or residual waste is recommended.

The problem.

A compostable plastic bag is remarkable for the consumer and sounds particularly environmentally friendly. However, the basic assumption that biodegradable plastics are generally more environmentally friendly than conventional plastics must be rejected. “Although the use of renewable raw materials can lead to a conservation of fossil resources and an improvement in the CO2 balance, advantages in one or two impact categories are generally not sufficient to justify a fundamental superiority. It is therefore possible that the production of bioplastics is more energy-intensive and more harmful to the environment (acidification of the soil, high water consumption, climate impact, etc.) than production from primary raw materials. But even this is not a general rule. In summary, it can be said that the ecological sense of a promotional product must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Recycling of bioplastics.

As the quantities of bioplastics disposed of are still too small, the sorting and subsequent recycling of bioplastics is not yet economically viable for waste management companies. In any case, the raw materials are not recycled, but pressed together with other residual waste into waste pellets, which are then used as fuel by industry, for example. When it comes to thermal recycling, promotional products made from plant-based raw materials have a clear advantage from an ecological point of view. This is because they reduce the amount of fossil greenhouse gases and only emit the CO2 that the plant has absorbed from the atmosphere during the growth process. The most ecologically sensible use of bioplastics is therefore currently thermal recycling.

The bottom line.

Bioplastics can be a sensible alternative, especially if they are produced from plant-based components. Provided that the raw materials used for this are not at the expense of the food chain. Biodegradable plastics can also make sense due to the reduction in emissions and conservation of fossil resources. However, a holistic view of the life cycle assessment over the entire product life cycle is necessary, from the extraction of raw materials, production and transportation through to recycling or disposal. As a general rule, multiple use of products saves resources and protects the environment (see also Reusable instead of disposable). The use of recycled materials (secondary raw materials) for the manufacture of new products is better than the use of new primary raw materials. However, the basic prerequisite for recycling is high-quality primary plastic.

Bio-based plastics are best when they come from sustainable forestry or agriculture and are preferably made from residual materials from the processing industry (e.g. fabric remnants from the textile industry, fruit peelings and pits from food production)