Compostable Plastic Manufacturing and Commercialising
Source : PIB
GS III : Environment
What is discussed under Compostable Plastic Manufacturing and Commercialising ?
- What are the challenges for Phase out SUP?
- Biodegradable plastics
Why in News ?
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today approved StartUp loan of Rs 1.15 crores to M/s TGP Bioplastics for commercialising “compostable” plastic and thus also mitigate the usage of Single Use Plastics (SUP).
Key Facts
- In lines with the clarion call to phase out single use plastic items, India had banned manufacturing, importing, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, all across the country on July 1, 2022.
- The concept of compostable plastic will be scaled up with further government support for driving global action on plastic pollution.
What is the challenges for Phase out SUP ?
- Single-use plastic has been a very good business, and that’s projected to continue.
Image by Pere Serrat from Pixabay - The cheapest degradable polymer today is Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) which is available at Rs. 280-300/kg, whereas conventional plastic raw materials cost around Rs. 90/kg.
- Efforts focused on curtailing the production of single-use plastic have been limited so far.
- The economics favour more plastic production.
- A significant amount ends up in rivers, oceans and landfills are not recyclable.
- India does not have systems in place for effective segregation, collection and recycling.
- No policy for recycling plastics. Also challenges are there to setup a recycling plant because of environmental issues raised by Pollution Control Boards of various states.
- Trade bodies like All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) recommends government to extend the deadline for phasing out SUP products by a period of one year to 2023 because of challenges caused by COVID.
Biodegradable plastics
- Biodegradable plastics are those that can decompose naturally in the environment.
- The makeup structure of biodegradable plastics makes them easily break down by natural microorganisms, giving an end product that is less harmful to the environment.
- Biodegradable plastics are perceived to be more eco-friendly due to their environmental benefits.
- One of the very first man-made bioplastics, called Parkesine, was created in 1862 by Alexander Parkes (UK) from cellulose.
- Most common examples include polybutyrate adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH/PVA), and polycaprolactone (PCL).
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