Introduction

 

 

We all know the damages that humans have brought to the planet. The enormous use of manmade plastic that uses carbon derived from oil, not only contaminates our limited oil resource but also expands massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, causing global warming. More uncertain, but possible, outcomes of an increase in global temperatures include increased risk of drought and increased intensity of storms, flooding and increasing likelihood of weather-related natural disasters. Certainly, countless consequences are posed by each effect on our country.

There are numerous techniques to reduce the contaminants that cause an increase in Carbon dioxide. Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce these impacts and represents one of the most dynamic areas in the plastics industry today. Recycling provides opportunities to reduce oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the quantities of waste requiring disposal. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran plans to encourage recycling and the reduction of the usage of plastic bags. Replacing biodegradable tableware with plastic tableware is another option to prevent environmental contamination.

Degradable

Decomposition is the process by which organic substances are broken down into a more simple organic matter. The degradation process, an oxidizing system, breaks down the carbon-carbon bonds in the plastic leading to a lowering of the molecular weight and eventually to a loss of strength and other properties. Scientists are not sure how many centuries it takes for the sun to work on degrading plastics. That is why certain news sources cite a 500-year estimate while others prefer a more conservative 1,000-year lifespan. However, Behzist products decompose after six months when left by themselves in nature.

Biodegradable

Biodegradation means an item that can break down into natural materials in the environment without causing harm. In terms of environmental benefits, a biodegradable material will break down quickly rather than take years. It leaves nothing harmful behind and saves landfill space. Biodegradable materials are composed of waste from living organisms and the actual plant, animal or another organism when its life ends. Examples include human and animal waste, plant products, wood, paper, food waste, leaves, grass clippings paper, and some forms of plastics made from components such as corn starch. Changing biodegradable materials into something useful and nourishing is called bio degradation or decomposition. This process includes the help of other living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and small insects. Other natural elements such as water, oxygen, moisture, and sunlight are also required to enable decomposition. Those microorganisms accelerate the process of degradation, which can usually extend from one day to one year.

When these products trashed in the landfills, they will be fade and no toxic residue will be found. Also once the biodegradable wastes are burned, the amount of carbon stored in the life cycle is released leads to a balance of the carbon gases. This is why they are also considered as "Carbon Neutral" or "Carbon Zero" and generally reduce the carbon volume.

Carbon Neutral

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered. One way that carbon neutrality can be achieved and carbon would be balanced is by replacing renewable energy sources with fossil fuels that create a similar amount of useful energy so that the carbon emissions are compensated, or using only renewable energies that do not produce any carbon dioxide. In other words, the "Carbon Neutral" or "Carbon Zero" term shows that the material generally reduces the carbon volume.

Bioplastics do produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastics over their lifetime. There is no net increase in carbon dioxide when they break down because the plants that bioplastics are made from absorbed that same amount of carbon dioxide as they grew. One study carried out in 2017 by the University of Pittsburgh proved that switching from traditional plastic to corn-based PLA would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent.