In an effort to go green, many companies and individuals are choosing to buy biodegradable plastic bags and biodegradable packaging. Plastic has long been seen as one of the worst enemies of the environment, but there have been few alternatives to choose from up until recently. With the advent of new manufacturing processes and advanced technologies there are now alternatives to conventional plastics. Conventional plastic gives off greenhouse gases and takes decades to degrade. They are also visual eyesores and are dangerous. Everyone has seen the pictures of plastic bags and soda rings around the necks of innocent animals.


Biodegradable plastic bags will someday be the norm as manufacturing and advanced technologies continue to improve the quality and pricing. Biodegradable plastic bags are made of several different types of materials. When you go out and buy biodegradable plastic it is most likely made of either starch based polymers such as corn, potato, tapioca or wheat. Biodegradable packaging is also made of bacteria based polyesters, starch and polyester combinations, or photodegradable polymers.

Although these biodegradable plastic bags are better for the environment, they are not without their own sets of problems. The mechanical strength of the bag is poor compared to regular plastic, they have a limited shelf life and can usually only be recycled at a special composting facility. For example, if you were to fill a bag of wet leaves or grass in a starch based plastic bag the bottom may fall out depending on how long the wet material is left in the bag.

4 Responses to “PROS and CONS: Biodegradable Plastic Bags”

1. 1
   Jamal Hoven Says:
   

   Exceptional post, maintain it up

   September 5th, 2010 at 1:06 am
2. 2
   Small Business Ideas Says:
   

   As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you

   September 2nd, 2010 at 8:30 pm
3. 3
   Printed carrier bags Says:
   

   While we are taking on the topic of PROS and CONS: Biodegradable Plastic Bags, Bags are inherently not very secure. The hard-shelled variety is somewhat more tamper-resistant than the soft-sided versions, though most of the integrated locks that you’ll find are easily compromised. And although zipper sliders can be locked together, this will prevent casual pilferage only; it presents little deterrent to the knowledgeable miscreant.

   August 24th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
4. 4
   ButThenAgain Says:
   

   First I would like to clarify there are no biodegradable plastic bgas…There are compostable bags only. The definition compostable is required becuase:
   -Consumers expect biodegradable products to complete the process in less than 6 months which if littered or landfilled these bags are not likely to do
   -For them to achieve 6 month cycle completition they need an industrial compost which very few cities or consumers have access too.

   Additionally biodegradable (compostable) plastic bags arenot recycled and if placed in the recycling stream they can ruin other plastics….

   All of that said there are cases where biodegradable (compostable) plastics make sense and cases where they just dont. Since plastic bags are readily recyclable it is prefered that traditional plastic is used and recycled in most cases.

   December 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.