Bioplastics are plastics that are similar in properties to traditional plastics but are derived from renewable biomass sources rather than petroleum, and many are designed to biodegrade. They can be used for both disposable and non-disposable applications like packaging, cups, and phone casings. While bioplastics have benefits like reducing fossil fuel usage and being safer for medical use, they also have drawbacks like higher costs and potential issues with quality, composting, and recycling. As oil prices rise and bioplastic usage increases, they represent an opportunity for crop-producing countries but need to ensure consistency and address issues like methane emissions from composting.

1. Bioplastics

2. What? A form of plastic Similar properties Biodegradable/compostable Used for disposable items Packaging, catering Non disposable non biodegradable but sustainable Pipes, phone casing

3. How? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLZVbmkmV7I

4. Why? Reduce fossil-fuel use and CO2 release during manufacturing Made from renewable raw materials Some are nontoxic and safe for medical and internal use

5. Why not? Higher cost—although this is relative to oil prices, which fluctuate In some cases, lower quality and performance compared to standard plastics Composting may be possible only in industrial composting processes Could interfere with standard plastic recycling Use of plant sugar and starch sources could negatively impact food prices

6. Bioplastics for the future Rising oil prices Bioplastic consumption expected to reach 5 million tonnes in 2015 Potential for crop producing countries

7. Perspective A potential summit opportunity for crop producing countries. More can be done to ensure consistency of bioplastics Disposability Methane gas contributing to greenhouse gases An effort to increase usage of bioplastics to reduce dependency on petroleum made plastics

8. Discussion What are the consequences of using more bioplastics in our lives? If you were given a choice between regular plastic and bioplastic, which would you choose? Why?

9. References http://ecohearth.com/eco-zine/science-and-technology/1242-bioplastics-rumors-facts-and-future-potential.html http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/27/business/Bioplastic-the-wave-of-the-future-30125659.html http://plasticsandtheplanet.com/archives/182 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic#Bioplastics_and_biodegradation