Biodegradable plastics are plastics that are capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. Two basic classes of biodegradable plastics exist: Bio plastics, whose components are derived from renewable raw materials and plastics made from petrochemicals with biodegradable additives which enhance biodegradation. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decay in usual aerobic environments. These include plastics that are made from vegetable oil and other organic matter. It can be broken down by microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) into water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and some bio-material. Examples of useful biodegradable products are:

·         Food packaging – packaging that can be composted together with its contents when the product is past its sell-by date or spoiled

·         Agriculture – plastic sheeting that can be ploughed-into biodegradable mulch and seed films

·         Medical – absorbable sutures; micro-devices containing medicine, which break down inside the body

The biodegradable products are food scraps and coffee grounds, paper towels, toilet paper, newspapers, junk mail, paper plates and cups, clothing and towels, printer paper, paper towels, toilet paper, weeds, grass and plant clippings, fall leaves, peat pots, plant stakes and plant-based pesticides. Plastic that is not biodegradable brings a lot of environmental issues. It deteriorates the ozone layer. For the most part plastic is produced from oil.

Advantages of plastic are:-

1.       Biodegradable plastics take less time to break down

2.       Biodegradable plastics are renewable

3.       Biodegradable plastics are good for the environment

4.       Biodegradable plastics require less energy to produce

5.       Biodegradable plastics are easier to recycle

6.       Biodegradable plastics are not toxic

7.       Biodegradable plastics reduce dependence on foreign oil

Overall world revenue for biodegradable plastic packaging will reach $2.38bn in 2014. Plastics have become an important part of modern life and are used in different sectors of applications like packaging, building materials, consumer products and much more. Each year about 100 million tons of plastics are produced worldwide. Per capita consumption of plastics in the world & India is 19kg & 2.7 kg and

Recycling % of plastics in the world & India is 20% & 60%. The global plastics market is estimated at around 200 million tons and has been growing five percent, annually.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Handbook on Biodegradable Plastics (Eco Friendly Plastics) describes the detailed information on the subject. The major contents of this book are- integrated plastic waste, eco-friendly plastics, multipurpose   exploitation of   municipal   slid, standards on environment friendly, dreams and myths about biodegradable polymers, environmental legislation and regulation, the proposed projects for international, pet pre-form from pet resin, pet bottles from pre-form pet etc.

In order to get “Handbook on Biodegradable Plastics (Eco Friendly Plastics)” please visit-

http://goo.gl/jxy5kZ