Sheila Sullivan
Sustainable Materials Project Manager, SDG Action Alliance, University of South Florida, SheilaHSullivan@usf.edu
Abstract
Campaigns to ban single-use plastics have spread globally, increasing awareness about plastic pollution and driving consumer demand for bioplastics alternatives. While biodegradable bioplastics derived from plant-based polymers found in corn, cassava, sugar cane, etc., are made from renewable sources, the materials are processed into a composite with a molecular structure nearly identical to fossil fuel-based plastic counterparts. The perception held by consumers that all bioplastic waste is compostable is a myth. Biodegradable and compostable are not the same. Arguably, everything will eventually biodegrade. Compostable, however, signifies that the product will degrade within a timeframe. In the United States, bioplastics are certified compostable once approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) after undergoing a process that replicates the environmental conditions and timing to determine whether the product is suitable for an industrial composting facility. The problem lies in the lack of Industrial Composting Facilities to manage the waste. There are no testing procedures or certifications for bioplastics compostable in backyard composting accreditation in the US. A USF pilot research study investigating the efficacy of biodegradable single-use compostable plastics in a typical backyard compost environment is under development at the Rosebud Continuum Sustainability Education Center. The goal is to provide consumers with sustainable product recommendations, raise awareness about the interdependence between bioplastics and Industrial Composting Facilities, and encourage behavior supportive of sustainable, reusable alternatives. The research findings will inform, inspire, and create adaptative solutions to eliminate single-use plastic through a system thinking nexus approach aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Keywords: bioplastics, single-use plastics, biobased, biomaterials, biodegradable plastic, compostable plastics, SDGs