Bio-based plastics – a sustainable solution to plastic pollution

Global annual plastic production is >410 × 106 tonnes with an annual rate increase of 4%; most of this plastic is non-biodegradable. Bio-based plastics (also known as bioplastics) are formed from polymers created from renewable or recycled raw materials, making them part of a sustainable plastic life cycle and part of a circular economy. Their production uses carbon-neutral energy and products are recycled at their end of life (EOL). Thus, they stand as an alternative to the current global plastic waste problem (>80% goes to landfill). Bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics, their materials properties can be advantageous, they are compatible with current recycling streams and biodegradation as EOL is also an option for some. Some challenges include having a larger production of bio-based plastics by gene-edited microorganisms and an improvement in the chemical and biological methods of recycling (upcycling) to process larger volumes and create higher-quality materials. Also, policy is important for the clear identification of bio-based plastics and their acceptance by creating financial incentives for their upscaling.