Advantages of Biodegradable Plastic Bags
Many natural disasters these days are because of poor care for Mother Nature. What can the average person do to reduce global warming? Something as simple as using environment friendly compostable trash bag will help save the planet from further deterioration. These bags are the best alternative to the usual, hazardous plastic bags.
What is biodegradable plastic made of?
Made from natural ingredients, biodegradable bags break down like organic waste, reducing synthetic trash residue that can be harmful to the environment. The actual production of these items is not bad for the environment.
Made with polymers produced from farmed products, biodegradable
bags do not have synthetic material manufactured from laboratories. Instead of petroleum-based polyester, green plastic companies use cornstarch when making their products. As plastic made from cornstarch easily break, some factories still combine both natural and synthetic materials.
Harmful effects of regular plastic bags
Non-biodegradable materials are made from materials natural processes cannot break down. Items such as plastic bags end up in landfills, mounting into piles, not able to participate in the environment's natural cycle of remaking broken down particles.
Regular plastic bags take up to ten years before disintegrating. Some of them end up in grazing areas or the open seas. This is especially hazardous to animals living in these areas. Wild animals and large fishes might accidentally ingest these plastic bags and the harmful chemicals along with it. If they accidentally eat environment friendly bags, their bodies can naturally process these without issue.
Regular plastic bags are just as harmful to humans as they are to other animals. The chemicals released from trying to incinerate or break down regular plastic are not safe to inhale. These toxic materials can be detrimental to human health.
How can you help?
If you are a small business owner, consider using biodegradable plastic bags. If it is not necessary in your line of work, you may ask your local grocery store to go green starting with getting rid of polyester plastic. You can even raise it to your homeowner's association or local government to regulate the reduction, reuse, and recycle of harmful plastic bags.
Disadvantages and alternatives
Biodegradable plastic does take a while to make and they can be costly to produce. If you cannot incorporate these kinds of bags into your business or community's practice, you can always use paper bags. Another way is using reusable canvas bags. The various alternatives to plastic only mean being environment friendly is easier than you think.
The difference between your usual plastic from environment friendly bags is the latter are helpful to the environment. Biodegradable bags are just as sturdy and customizable as regular plastic bags. If you can get the same use out of it, why not choose the better alternative. You do not have to make a grand gesture to help the planet. Something as simple as using reusable and breakable plastic when shopping can make all the difference.
