2 replies to this topic

[4leafclover]

Whenever I buy stuffs from the mall, the grocery department has this "BIODEGRADABLE" labels on their plastics. I felt happy about it because I know it helps a lot to save on industrial wastes. But then it still keeps me curious. Are they really biodegradable? How safe are these plastics? Is it of more convenience or inconvenience?

[SheforACT]

They're pretty neat: Microorganisms can convert biodegradable plastics into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass—with no nasty chemical leftovers.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

4leafclover, on 04 April 2012 - 05:58 AM, said:

Whenever I buy stuffs from the mall, the grocery department has this "BIODEGRADABLE" labels on their plastics. I felt happy about it because I know it helps a lot to save on industrial wastes. But then it still keeps me curious. Are they really biodegradable? How safe are these plastics? Is it of more convenience or inconvenience?

No plastics are safe.
But all plastics are biodegradable given enough time and temperature.
Ever see a partial plastic bag hanging from a tree? Most of it has broken down but that doesn't mean the pieces
are safe.
https://www.sciencen...tic-big-problem

http://www.theepocht...ing-for-humans/
https://en.wikipedia...c_garbage_patch

"Can biodegradable plastics break down in landfills? This claim, which now shows up on everything from water bottles to trash bags to Discover's "biodegradable PVC" credit cards, is "disingenuous at best," says Narayan. Usually, nothing biodegrades in a landfill. But if biodegradable plastics do break down in this oxygen-free environment, they'll emit methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than CO₂."

From Mother Jones-
http://www.motherjon...ics-really-work