Bioresins and Eco-friendly Plastics

In recent attempts to create more eco-conscious plastics, bioresins have emerged as the new, successful alternative to traditional polyurethane based plastics. Although there are no set standards for what it means for a product to be “green” there exist agreed upon desirable results: safer disposal, energy-efficient manufacturing, and decreased toxic emissions are just a few of the categories that manufacturers now target when thinking about green products. Bioresins play into each of these categories in a variety of ways, depending on the type of bioresin used and the application it’s present in.

Types of Bioresin and Current Industry Trends

Degradable plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyester-based plastic are most likely to expand the most in the next few years as a result of improved technology and subsequent cost-cuts. Additionally, polyester-based plastics are quintessential in the production of greener plastic bags. Plastic film will remain the primary application for degradable and compostable plastics, as demonstrated by the medical and food industry’s strong dependence on films for packaging.

Other Bioresin Materials

Several companies have been generating new biodegradable and compostable plastic families, which may serve as smart alternatives to traditional plastic. One such family, Mirel, depends on corn sugar as its main base, and its resin is used to create plastics with ranging levels of flexibilities. Mirel resin-based plastics can be rigid or soft, are heat and hot liquid resistant, and can be used in place of olefin in many applications. (Source: http://www.areadevelopment.com/industryreport/jun08/bioresin-revolution.shtml)

A sustainable polypropylene, Biopropylene, has been developed by Cereplast Inc., who looks to replace a minimum of 50 percent of the petroleum-based plastics with renewable-resource based material. Currently, the company is working with Cosmolab to supply them with bioresins to create jars and enclosures for cosmetic packaging. Additionally, Enterprises Ltd. Plans to use Cereplast’s compostable resins for a line of restaurant and nightclub items.

Not all companies are going green by producing new, bio-conscious resins. Some companies continue to use petroleum-based resin, but due to an increase in prices, are limiting the amount of petroleum they use.  To achieve this, many companies use a mix of new and recycled material in products such as bottles and plastic packaging tubes. 

Recycling
As with most products that attempt to become more eco-friendly, recycling is a key component of the process. Programs such as BagSmart, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, are making it easier by offering plastic bag recycling sites at grocery stores and local Good Will locations.  The bags are then shipped off to Trex Company, a producer of wood/plastic composites, and used in the production of eco-conscious decking and fencing material. Through programs such as SmartBag and the simple act of sorting out recyclable plastics from one’s own household trash, plastics can be continually re-used and put back to work, helping to cut down on the harmful effects of inappropriately disposed plastic. 


For more information on plastic-free products, and eco-friendly living, visit these sites:

Fake Plastic Fish

Clean Conscience Goods

Pure Mothers