Biodegradable Plastics:

When seen from an environmental point of view, the dominance plastic has over our daily lives is frightening. Each time we use a plastic container we are adding to the plastic waste that dots the landscape. And you can forget about it getting absorbed in the soil. Plastic does not take kindly to decomposition.

Plastic is manufactured from non-renewable sources like coal, natural gas and oil and due to this, organisms that do all the dirty work of decomposition find it difficult to break and assimilate the polymer molecules that make up regular plastic. This renders traditional plastic non-degradable and a veritable threat to the environment.

The science of biotechnology has been consistently trying to change the make-up of plastic by researching processes that can produce plastic that is biodegradable. There has been some progress made in the search with the discovery of bioplastics or green plastics.

There are certain natural polymers found in starch obtained from cereal plants, tubers, etc. which are processed to produce a bioplastic called polylactide [PLA]. Another popular bioplastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA] is obtained from bacteria.

These green plastics have found application in a variety of goods like pots, disposable nappies, candy wrappers, etc. They do come with certain limitations though as bioplastic production involves considerable cost as compared to traditional plastics.

If biotechnology does succeed in producing a plastic that will completely replace traditional plastic then Mother Nature is certain to heave a huge sigh of relief. PLAs have molecules that can be broken down easily by organisms. The production of PLA also reduces 68 percent of the greenhouse gases that are produced by regular plastic.

For now, hopes are pinned on biotech research for a solution to replace plastic. The National Institute of Science Media publishes books on biotechnology and other branches of science. Our guides and resources throw light on the various aspects of biotechnology and biotech research.

To know more visit us online at www.w2il.org.