Plastic is everywhere in our daily lives. Plastics are lightweight, durable, and inexpensive, but they also pose enormous environmental challenges, especially non-biodegradable, "long-lived" plastics. They are like lingering ghosts that accumulate on our land and oceans and threaten the health of the ecosystem.
This article will delve into the problems posed by non-biodegradable plastics and provide guidance for those concerned about the environment, businesses pursuing sustainable development, and policymakers on how to think and act.
Why should we care about non-biodegradable plastics?
The environmental impact is staggering: non-biodegradable plastics are the main source of ocean and soil pollution, threaten the survival of wildlife, and ultimately affect human health through the food chain.
Alternatives need to be made more accessible: Finding and promoting viable alternatives (e.g., biodegradable materials and reuse systems) is key to reducing the burden on the environment.
Increasingly stringent regulations: These are constantly being introduced globally. Regulations restricting or banning single-use plastics, and companies must proactively adapt to avoid non-compliance risks.
Innovation drives the future: Access to the latest scientific research and technological innovations helps us find more fundamental and efficient solutions.
What Are Non-biodegradable Plastics?
Non-biodegradable plastics refer to synthetic materials that are difficult for microorganisms to break down in the natural environment. These plastics can exist in soil, oceans, and other environments for hundreds of years, causing long-term environmental pollution problems.
Tipos De Plasticos No Biodegradables
Polietileno (PE): Se utiliza para bolsas de plástico, botellas, etc.
Polipropileno (PP): Se utiliza para envases de alimentos, tapas de botellas, etc.
Cloruro de polivinilo (PVC): Se utiliza para tuberías, marcos de ventanas, etc.
Poliestireno (PS): Se utiliza para vajillas desechables, materiales de embalaje, etc.
Biodegradable and Non Biodegradable Plastic
Plastics can come from fossil or renewable sources. Bioplastics come from renewable raw materials but are not necessarily biodegradable. (esplasticos.es)
Biodegradability: Not all biodegradable plastics decompose under normal environmental conditions; some require specific industrial processes.
Environmental impact: Non-biodegradable plastics seriously pollute the environment due to their persistence. If managed properly, biodegradable materials can reduce this impact.
Which Plastics Are Biodegradable?
Polylactic acid (PLA): Made from renewable resources such as corn starch, it is widely used in food packaging and disposable tableware.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Synthesized by microorganisms through a fermentation process and can be used in medical devices and packaging materials.
Polycaprolactone (PCL): Has good processing properties and can be used in films and other products.
Polybutylene succinate (PBS): Can be used in packaging, tableware, agricultural films, and other fields.
Polybutylene adipate/terephthalate (PBAT): Good flexibility, commonly used in garbage bags and soft plastic products.
Alcohol polivinílico (PVA): Un plástico soluble en agua comúnmente utilizado en películas y materiales de embalaje solubles en agua.
Materiales No Biodegradables
Why Plastic Is Not Biodegradable
The non-biodegradability of plastics is primarily due to the stability of their chemical structure. The high molecular chain structure of synthetic plastics makes them difficult to recognize and decompose by microorganisms in the natural environment. Furthermore, the durability of plastics makes them difficult to degrade during use, but this also makes them difficult to decompose naturally after disposal.
To reduce the impact of non-biodegradable plastics on the environment, promoting the use of biodegradable plastics, strengthening plastic recycling and reuse, and developing new degradation technologies are currently important issues.
Conclusion
Non-biodegradable plastics present a severe threat to the environment, but the problem is not insurmountable. Through technological innovation, policy change, and individual action, we can mitigate their impact and build a sustainable future.
