This document discusses different types of biodegradable plastics, including oxo-biodegradable plastics made from petroleum or organic carbon and hydro-biodegradable plastics that are synthetic polyesters or contain some renewable organic carbon. It notes that biodegradable plastics are engineered to fully degrade and biodegrade after use, returning the carbon to the natural carbon cycle. The document also outlines options for managing biodegradable plastics through recycling, composting, or landfilling and questions whether zero waste is possible by diverting compostable plastics from landfills.

2. Biodegradable Plastics (index)
i. Why Biodegradable
ii. Dispelling the Myths
iii. Types of Biodegradable Plastics
iv. The Chemistry
v. GLOBAL RESIN CONSUMPTION (B/ lbs)
vi. Biodegradable ,Compostable /Plastics Controlled
Life-cycle Options
vii. Biodegradable Compostable Plastics Is “Zero
Waste” an Option?
viii.Durable, Degradable/ Biodegradable Compostable
Plastics

3. Biodegradable Plastic
i. Plastics for the most part are polymerized
chains of naturally biodegradable organic carbon.
ii. Most Compostable plastics are compounds and
some
have a percentage of renewable carbon (less
than 100 years)
iii. Others like polyethylene are organic carbon
extracted from petroleum blended with
degradable
catalysts (TDPA, Addiflex, D2W)
iv. All are biodegradable
albeit at different rates

4. Biodegradable Plastics Why
Biodegradable
i. Unlike ordinary plastics that can
persist in the environment for
decades Biodegradable plastics are
engineered to degrade and
biodegrade after use
ii. Biodegradable plastics totally
degrade returning the carbon to the
natural bio-cycle as a food
source for microorganisms

5. Biodegradable Plastics
Dispelling the Myths
i. Organics are garbage to be wasted
ii. Are a resource that nurtures and restores the
soil
iii. All biodegradable plastics are compostable
iv. Compostable plastics are made with 100
renewable resources
v. Landfills are dry inert tombs

6. Types of Biodegradable Plastics
 Oxo-biodegradable Plastics
Petroleum based fossil fuels
Organic carbon plankton
Degradation is Slower
Must oxidize before the onset of
biodegradation
No standard Specification

7. Hydro-biodegradable Plastics
1.Synthetic polyester from petroleum
based “fossil fuels”.
2.Some blended with renewable
Organic carbon
(less than 100 years) and Minerals
3.Currently no commercial 100
renewable
4.Degradation is Fast
5.Quickly hydrolyzes and biodegrades

8. Biodegradable Plastics The Chemistry
Oxo-Biodegradable Hydro-biodegradable
Carbon-chain polymers hetero-chain polymers
Per oxidation hydrolysis
Carboxylic acid,alcohols, carbohydrates ,carbolic
Hydroxyear boxylic acid acids,alcohols
bactaria,fungi,enzmes,etc…
humus

9. GLOBAL RESIN CONSUMPTION (B/
lbs)
•The issues of disposal and accumulation
The good news it is mostly recyclable
The bad news its mostly wasted
The Solution engineered LIFE-CYCLE plastics Best
Practices
1. Recycling 2. Organic diversion composting
Durabl
e
159
single
59

10. Biodegradable ,Compostable Plastics Controlled
Life-cycle Options
Recycle
•Our best option
Compost
•Recycle the Carbon
•Return it to the Natural Bio-cycle
Landfill
•Save for Posterity

11. Biodegradable Compostable Plastics Is “Zero
Waste” an Option?
What is land filled in U.S
0 5,000 10,00015,00020,00025,00030,000
food scraps
paper packing
yard trimming
plastics packing
glass packing
wood packing
steel packing
alum packing

12. Durable, Degradable/ Biodegradable
Compostable
Plastics
Are “Plastics” the problem?
Or is it that we just don’t have it right… YET?
Durable or Ordinary Plastics
Like Aluminum Glass they are mostly Recyclable
Oxo-Degradable/ Biodegradable
Mostly “Single Use”- our 60B pound problem
Most are Recyclable
Biodegrade in the presence of microbial activity
Biodegradable Compostable
Organic Diversion Zero Waste