Sustainability and Bioplastics

Sustainability

Increasing Population: World population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050

Society --> Environment --> Economy

What is a key advantage of meal kits regarding food waste?

Meal kits result in less food waste.

What is a disadvantage of meal kits in terms of packaging?

Meal kits have more packaging.

What is a key advantage of grocery stores regarding packaging?

Grocery stores have less packaging.

What is a disadvantage of grocery stores regarding food waste?

Grocery stores have more food waste from overbuying.

How do meal kits compare to grocery stores in terms of total emissions?

Meal kits have lower total emissions due to reduced food waste.

What is a disadvantage of meal kits regarding their environmental impact?

Meal kits have a higher packaging and delivery impact.

What is a disadvantage of grocery stores regarding greenhouse gas emissions?

Grocery stores have higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Why do meal kits have a higher packaging impact?

Meal kits have pre-portioned sizes.

Under what conditions can meal kits be more sustainable overall?

If packaging is recyclable and delivery is optimized.

What is Active Packaging?

Packaging that actively protects, beyond containment and protection.

What is an example of Active Packaging?

Modified Atmosphere Packaging.

What is Intelligent Food Packaging?

Also known as 'Smart Packaging', it monitors freshness and enhances customer safety.

What can porous materials be used for in packaging?

To modify the atmosphere and for intelligent packaging applications.

What is the most favorable action in the U.S. EPA Waste Hierarchy?

Reducing our demand on resources

What is the second most preferred action in the U.S. EPA Waste Hierarchy?

Source Reduction and Reuse

What is the third most preferred action in the U.S. EPA Waste Hierarchy?

Recycling and Composting

What is the fourth most preferred action in the U.S. EPA Waste Hierarchy?

Energy Recovery

What is the least preferred action in the U.S. EPA Waste Hierarchy?

Treatment and Disposal

Sorting of plastic waste IR Spectroscopy

What is Spectroscopy? Study of the Interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiations. In particular, infrared rays are used

Electromagnetic radiations

Electromagnetic radiations- Transverse oscillating wave of electric and magnetic field

What are the advantages of mechanical recycling?

Most common, effective, energy efficient (lower carbon footprint)

What are the disadvantages of mechanical recycling?

Heterogeneous source of flakes or pellets, thermal degradation, poor control over functional performance, may or may not be suitable for food contact applications

What are the advantages of chemical recycling?

Better quality control over end properties, like virgin resin, can be used for food contact applications

What are the disadvantages of chemical recycling?

More energy intensive, time intensive, higher carbon footprint than mechanical recycling

Mechanical Recycling

Melting the plastics and reforming

What is another name for chemical recycling?

Advanced recycling, molecular recycling, or solvolysis

What does chemical recycling convert plastics into?

Monomers or small desirable chemical molecules

What is the process of breaking down polymers into monomers called?

Depolymerization

Popular chemical recycling pathways of PET

Glycolysis

Hydrolysis

Methanolysis

What is pyrolysis?

A process that breaks down polymers at high temperatures.

What temperature range is typically used in pyrolysis?

400-500°C

What are the main products of pyrolysis?

Hydrocarbons, liquid oils, gases, char, and other small molecules.

What factors influence the final product of pyrolysis?

Polymer type, temperature, and other variables.

What is one application of pyrolysis?

Energy recovery from plastics.

Microbial degradation of PET

For certain plastics microorganism may exist innature which can degrade the polymers. For example PET - PETase is an enzyme which can cleave esterbonds present in PET - PETase enzyme can be produced by specificfungi and bacteria -Rate of degradation??? Important fromsustainability perspective

Environmental FootprintLife Cycle Assessment (LCA)

For assessing the environmental impact associated with all the stages

-Data driven

-Better decision-making

What are bio-plastics?

Includes both biobased and biodegradable plastics.

What does bio-based mean?

The plastic comes from abiological (living) or renewable sources.

What are some sources of bio-based plastics?

Corn, sugar cane, tapioca, cellulosic materials, and bacteria.

How is bio-based content measured?

Following the procedures of ASTM D6866 (Carbon Dating C14).

Is bio-based the same as biodegradable?

No, bio-based does not equal biodegradable.

What does biodegradable mean?

A plastic that undergoes anaerobic biodegradation by naturally occurring microorganisms.

What are some microorganisms involved in biodegradation?

Algae, fungi, and bacteria.

What is the ASTM standard for marine non-floating biodegradable plastics?

ASTM D7081

What is the ASTM standard for landfill biodegradable plastics?

ASTM D5526

What does compostable mean?

The degradation of material by aerobic biological processes that yields CO2, water, organic compounds, and biomass.

What are the standards for compostable materials?

ASTM D6400 and EN13432 (European Standard).

What is a key characteristic of compostable materials?

They leave no visible, distinguishable, or toxic residue.

What is an Industrial Compost Facility?

A facility designed to process organic waste into compost through controlled conditions.

Do all industrial compost facilities accept compostable plastics?

No, not all industrial compost facilities will accept compostable plastics.

Where is an industrial compost site located in relation to our campus?

We have an industrial compost site on campus.

What are the specific composition requirements for a compost pile?

C/N ratio, aeration, and pile turning.

What temperature does the compost pile typically rise to?

The temperature of the pile rises to approximately 58°C.

Poly butylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)

Sold by BASF under brand name EcoflexTM

Compostable

Perfotec FLEXFRESHTM➢ FLEXFRESH 12500➢ 5-15 kg fresh produce➢ Transmission value 12500 (?)➢ Supplier recommended the bag for 5 kgof Broccoli➢ Micro-perforation hidden behind printedarea➢ Claimed 100% biodegradable. Other observations➢ Bag tears during handling from thecenter

Polycaprolactone (PCL)

Glass transition temperature (Tg) = -60oC• Flexible polymer• Melting point (Tm) 55-70oC

What are poly hydroxy alkanoates (PHAs)?

A category of bio-plastics.

How can poly hydroxy alkanoates (PHAs) be derived?

They can be derived from bacteria that synthesize them.

What is one method of synthesizing poly hydroxy alkanoates (PHAs)?

They can be synthesized from methane (Mango Materials).

What is polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB)?

A type of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA).

What is polyhydroxy butyrate-co-valerate (PHBV)?

A type of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA).

What is polyhydroxy butyrate co hydroxy hexanoate?

A type of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA).

What percentage of total plastic consumption do bioplastics currently constitute?

Less than 1%

What is the expected future percentage of bioplastics in total plastic consumption?

It is expected to remain a small fraction.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)

Renewable resource• Compostable/Biodegradable• Recyclable• Commercially competitive• Higher breathability compared to traditionalplastics

What is a limitation of PLA regarding impact resistance?

PLA is brittle and has low impact resistance.

How does PLA perform in terms of tear resistance?

PLA has poor tear resistance, which may be a limitation depending on the application.

What is a barrier property issue with PLA?

PLA has poor water and gas barrier properties.

What is a limitation of PLA in food packaging?

The poor barrier properties hinder its application in food packaging and carbonated drinks.

What is a limitation of PLA regarding its commercial applications?

PLA has limited commercial applications due to its poor functionality.

What is the heat resistance of new PLA?

Up to 120°C

What are stereo complexes of PLLA and PDLA?

They are combinations of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) that enhance properties.

What is a notable characteristic of PLA?

It has toughness.

What is the Floreon brand PLA blend?

It is a polyester composite that is claimed to be biodegradable.

What is the composition of the Floreon brand PLA blend?

>70% PLA, PBS, PBSA, PCL

Is PLA expected to remain in use?

Yes, PLA is here to stay.

What are key applications of lactic acid?

Food, health, and pharmaceuticals.

What is the annual sales growth rate for PLA?

20% annual sales growth.

What is a limitation of PLA?

It lacks certain properties for some applications.

Is PLA suitable for fresh produce?

Yes, it is OK for fresh produce.

What issue exists with industrial composting infrastructure for PLA?

It is absent, and composting facilities refuse to accept compostable plastics.

How long does it take for PLA to compost?

It takes more than 90 days to compost.

What are the properties of PLA that are similar to other plastics?

Properties similar to PET and PS

What percentage of packaging did Danone convert to PLA?

5%

Which company used PLA for its Marketside brand?

Walmart

What is a key benefit of using PLA in fresh produce packaging?

Higher breathability

What type of perforation is used in PLA flow wrappers?

Micro or Macro perforated

What is a specific application of PLA in trays?

Higher breathability

What is NaturePADTM focused on?

Meat products

What is the composition of NaturePADTM?

One layer PLA based

What is EcovioTM?

A blend of PLA and Ecoflex (PBAT).

What is one advantage of EcovioTM?

It overcomes the brittleness of PLA and the sticky nature of Ecoflex.

What are some applications of EcovioTM?

Mulch films, foams, cups, paper coating, and shrink film.

What is BioflexTM?

A blend of PLA and copolyester.

What is one advantage of BioflexTM?

It overcomes the brittleness of PLA.

What is Modified PLA?

A type of PLA that includes various enhancements to improve its properties.

What is Hyperbranched PLA?

A type of PLA that has a branched structure, improving impact strength and processability.

What company sells Hyperbranched PLA?

Interfacial Solutions, WI.

What brand is Hyperbranched PLA sold under?

deTerra.

What is PLEXIGLAS R?

A bio-based acrylic and PLA blend sold by Arkema.