| Only a couple of decades ago, biodegradable plastic | | | | have the toxic styrene by product that the |
| was introduced to the world. Biodegradable plastics | | | | polyethylene has. These other plastics are made from |
| are plastics that will decompose in natural aerobic | | | | a variety of substances such as vegetable oils and |
| (composting) and anaerobic (landfill) environments. | | | | starches. One big example is that of the cellophane |
| Biodegradation of plastics can be achieved by enabling | | | | plastic wrap which is made entirely from the pulp of |
| microorganisms in the environment to metabolize the | | | | wood. |
| molecular structure of plastic films to produce an inert | | | | As science and technology advance in to the next |
| humus-like material that is less harmful to the | | | | millennia, many more types will become available and |
| environment. They may be composed of either | | | | some of those are already here. Many new types of |
| bioplastics, which are plastics whose components are | | | | plastic can now be readily and cheaply produced as |
| derived from renewable raw materials, or | | | | well as the older manufacturing techniques of other |
| petroleum-based plastics which utilize an additive. | | | | plastics are being improved upon. Unfortunately, not |
| The lowering of the costs to manufacture plastic has | | | | one single type of plastic has shown the strength |
| as a result led to plastic being more widely available | | | | which can be obtained only in the polyethylene bags |
| and as such has become an environmental issue. | | | | and as long as it remains on top as the strongest |
| While today it is common place to see plastic bags | | | | plastic bag, getting rid of it will be next to impossible. |
| everywhere as a means to transport an item from the | | | | Furthermore, as more developments unfold in the |
| store or restaurant, but only 20 years ago, one would | | | | search for a polyethylene replacement, one thing is for |
| rarely even see a store that offered plastic over | | | | certain that is that each and every single newly |
| paper. | | | | designed plastic too has its own list of environmental |
| The most common plastic seen anywhere in the world | | | | impact factors. Some say that we should just go back |
| today is polyethylene. This type of plastic is what is | | | | to paper, but unfortunately this cannot happen as there |
| utilized to make the grocery bags as well as many | | | | is not a sufficient amount of trees available for this to |
| other items like water and cola bottles. The product of | | | | occur. |
| plastic itself is as a result of the refinement of | | | | The goal within time is that eventually a true |
| petroleum products which are of course the root of | | | | biodegradable plastic will be developed that is as |
| the environmental issues we face today; the | | | | strong or even stronger than that of polyethylene, and |
| dependence on fossil fuels. | | | | can break down easier without all of the toxic |
| Along with polyethylene though, there are a number of | | | | by-products. This would greatly reduce the amount of |
| other types of plastic that are also available. The | | | | plastic waste consumed and disposed of into landfills. |
| plastics breaks down easier and of course do not | | | | |