Plastics generate curiosity as a result of they’re simple to make however very tough to degrade resulting in a plastic stable waste disaster.
Most plastics are a by-product of petroleum refining, which make their presence a assure so long as we use fossil fuels.
Some would possibly say that we will recycle plastics into different merchandise like constructing blocks, diesel and so on
Nonetheless, is that this type of recycling- additionally referred to as chemical recycling- actually sustainable?
The extra we keep plastics round us, the extra they’ll maintain circulating within the type of microplastics which pose an excellent larger hazard.
In addition to, changing plastics into gasoline requires copious quantities of warmth to facilitate breakdown of lengthy molecules to smaller ones.
So is there a solution to the plastic drawback?
Sure, but it surely isn’t so simple as it’s put.
STOP PLASTIC MANUFACTURE
Stopping the manufacture of plastics is tough (if not outright inconceivable) due to two causes:
First, as acknowledged earlier than, plastics are a by-product of the petroleum trade.
Stopping manufacture is tantamount to difficult oil refineries and associated industries that energize our lives.
Some would argue that it’s nonetheless attainable to take action.
Which takes me to the second level.
Plastics have a lot been intertwined with out lives that it’s practically inconceivable to do with out them.
Image your common month-to-month groceries.
How a lot of it’s packaged in plastic bottles, containers, paper baggage (though they’re banned in some jurisdictions like Kenya)?
The reality is that if we’re to cease storing cooking oil we use at dwelling in plastic, what options do we have now?
Glass!, we’d say.
Sure, glass is an possibility however how many people can afford it?
Now this takes me to the third level.
AFFORDABILITY
Plastics are manufactured en masse.
Which means economies of scale kicks in decreasing the price of manufacturing astronomically.
That’s why a soda in a plastic bottle may value method lower than taking the identical soda in a glass container.
When confronted with such dilemmas, what choices do we have now in defeating this plastic drawback that appears to have strangled us as humanity?
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
If we intend to strike off an affordable product, then we should be ready to supply one other cheaper different.
Biodegradable plastics are a very good place to begin on this regard.
However biodegradable plastics derived from agricultural waste are much more interesting.
STARCH FOODS.
In our conventional African setups, we’re cultural customers of starches like candy potatoes, arrowroots, cassava, and yams, amongst others.
Whereas getting ready these meals, we normally peel off the skins which find yourself within the mud bin.
Nonetheless, what if we use these ‘wastes’ to make bioplastics?
HOW NOW?!!!
Take some uncooked rice, place it in water and see the cloudiness seem over time.
This cloudiness is as a result of presence of starch.
Now the peels from these starchy meals comprise a considerable amount of this sort of starch which might be extracted simply through the use of water.
Afterwards, the water-starch combination might be left to settle then decanted to get well the white (or gentle coloured) starch.
This commodity might be saved to be used within the kitchen or used to make bioplastic packaging.
BIOPLASTICS FROM WASTE STARCH
Place the starch in water, add vinegar and a few glycerine then ramp up the temperature of the cooker to low warmth underneath fixed stirring.
Over time, the answer thickens.
This porridge like consistency may then be unfold on a flat floor and allowed to dry in a single day.
It may then be peeled off and used to bundle greens, fruits and different groceries.
The cool factor with this packaging is it dissolves in water and may be eaten safely.
Higher nonetheless, it’s plastics derived from waste.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BIOPLASTICS
The plastic drawback can’t be solved by a one-size-fits-all answer.
Nonetheless, changing agrowastes into starch based mostly bioplastics may herald a brand new age of profitable the battle in opposition to plastics.
Nonetheless, extra R&D is required to scale up into the manufacturing of bioplastic bottles, cups, plates and others.
The reality is that the round financial system has options to our on a regular basis issues provided that we will dig deeper.
So I invite you to take a deep dive into analysis and innovation of bioplastics, which may assist substitute petroleum based mostly plastics we use each day.
