What Happens to Bio Plastic Bags in The Landfill?

What is a bioplastic bag?

The material of bioplastic bags is mainly made of biodegradable polymer materials. These materials are usually derived from natural substances such as starch, vegetable oils, vitamins, etc., which are converted into polymers through biotechnology to form high-tech materials. Bioplastics refer to plastics generated by microorganisms based on natural substances such as starch, which are renewable and environmentally friendly. The research and application of this plastic have received attention and support from many countries, especially in the fields of environmental protection and medical care, with broad application prospects. For example, bioplastics can be used to produce medical products that can be absorbed by the body, such as postoperative sutures. In addition, the research and application of bioplastics have also been actively promoted by the government and enterprises, through policy support and market promotion, to promote their popularization and application. Although there are still some shortcomings in biodegradable plastic bags, their application prospects are very broad with the continuous progress of technology and the enhancement of environmental awareness.

Can bioplastic bags be degraded in landfills?

The answer is: No, bioplastic bags in landfills do not degrade.

Although bioplastic bags are designed to be biodegradable, in actual landfill environments, without suitable environments and conditions, bioplastic bags, like traditional plastics, are almost impossible to degrade and cause pollution to the environment. This indicates that even with the use of so-called biodegradable plastics, without proper processing conditions, they can still have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, reducing the use of plastic and finding more environmentally friendly alternatives are key to solving the problem of plastic pollution.

Biodegradable plastic bags may take over 50 years to degrade in landfills. ‌

Although the original intention of designing biodegradable plastic bags is to rapidly degrade under certain environmental conditions and reduce pollution to the environment, their degradation process may be severely affected in anaerobic environments such as landfills. The anaerobic environment in landfills is not conducive to the decomposition of biodegradable plastic bags because this environment lacks oxygen, and the degradation process of biodegradable plastics usually requires the participation of oxygen. In addition, temperature and humidity conditions in landfills may also affect the degradation rate of biodegradable plastic bags. Therefore, even under ideal conditions, the complete degradation time of biodegradable plastic bags in landfills may take more than 100 years. Although this is an improvement compared to the degradation time of traditional plastic bags in landfills, it still takes a long time to fully decompose. ‌

It should be noted that the degradation time of biodegradable plastic bags is also affected by various factors, including material type, landfill conditions, etc. Therefore, the specific degradation time may vary. In addition, the use and disposal of biodegradable plastic bags can also affect their final degradation effect. For example, if biodegradable plastic bags are properly recycled and disposed of instead of being directly thrown into landfills, their degradation process may be accelerated.

The degradation time of biodegradable plastic bags can vary depending on different materials and conditions. Generally speaking, biodegradable plastic bags take several months to several years to fully degrade.

Some common biodegradable plastic bag materials include polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), CaCo3 based plastics and starch based plastics. These materials typically degrade faster in humid and hot environments, such as in soil or water. Under such conditions, biodegradable plastic bags typically take several months to about a year to fully degrade.

However, if biodegradable plastic bags are buried in landfills without oxygen and humidity, their degradation time may be longer. In this case, they may take longer to fully degrade, possibly several years or even decades.

What are the degradation conditions for biodegradable plastic bags?

Biodegradable plastic bags degrade under the action of microorganisms.

The degradation conditions of biodegradable plastic bags can include the following factors:

Humidity: Biodegradable plastic bags require a certain level of humidity for degradation. Humidity can promote the growth and activity of microorganisms, thereby accelerating plastic degradation. Generally speaking, a humidity between 50 and 70 is ideal.

Temperature: Temperature is also an important factor in the degradation of plastics. Higher temperatures can stimulate the metabolic activity of microorganisms, thereby accelerating the degradation rate. Generally speaking, a higher temperature range (30 ° C to 60 ° C) is more conducive to biodegradation.

Oxygen: Most biodegradation processes require the presence of oxygen, which is known as aerobic conditions. Oxygen can provide necessary oxygen and energy consumption for microorganisms, enabling the degradation process to proceed smoothly. However, there are also some plastic materials that are suitable for degradation under anaerobic conditions, such as in landfills.

Microorganisms: Microorganisms are the key to biodegradation. They degrade plastic molecules into smaller compounds, ultimately degrading plastic into its basic components such as water, carbon dioxide, and other substances. Different types of microorganisms have different degradation efficiencies for different types of plastics.

It should be noted that biodegradable plastic bags degrade slowly under general environmental conditions. Therefore, if good degradation is desired, more suitable conditions may need to be provided, such as treatment in specialized industrial composting facilities.

The advantage of biodegradable plastic bags is that they can be directly degraded in soil without the need for recycling, thereby reducing plastic pollution. The promotion and application of this type of plastic is of great significance for protecting the environment and reducing soil pollution, especially in the agricultural field. Using biodegradable agricultural film instead of traditional agricultural film can significantly improve environmental leakage problems and reduce labor and costs for waste disposal.