Abstract

Biobased plastics are not necessarily biodegradable and biodegradable-compostable plastics are not necessarily biobased. Recycling (chemical or mechanical) is a viable and important end-of-life option for biobased plastics. It is important to understand, articulate and clearly communicate the value proposition offered by these products including its end-of-life option. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an important tool to calculate and report the process carbon and environmental footprint of bioplastics. However, it does not capture nor communicate the intrinsic zero carbon footprint arising from the use of biobased carbon feedstocks in place of the conventional petro/fossil carbon feedstocks. Using radiocarbon analysis, which is codified into ASTM D6866 standard, one can experimentally determine the biobased carbon content to an accuracy of +/- 3%. With biobased carbon content of the product known, one can readily calculate the material carbon emissions reductions achieved. Designing plastics to be completely utilized (biodegraded) by microorganisms present in the selected disposal system is a viable and environmentally responsible end-of-life option. However, misleading and false biodegradability claims based on additives added into conventional polyolefin resins like polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET are proliferating in the marketplace. The science of microbial utilization of carbon substrates is well known and taught in freshman college classes. B