Written by Anita Kumari, PhD
Traditional plastics can decompose in landfills for up to 500 years, and their persistence presents an enduring environmental challenge. In contrast, compostable plastics, particularly those made from innovative materials like REGEN™ PHA, can biodegrade within a few months under optimal industrial composting conditions.
Conventional plastics, derived from petrochemicals, persist in the environment due to their resistance to microbial degradation. This long decomposition timeline results in pollution that clogs ecosystems and aggravates the global waste crisis.
They have broken down into microplastics over centuries, posing health threats to humans and animals. Compostable plastics meet strict recycling standards and decompose within 90 days under controlled conditions.
PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) stands out among compostable plastics, the base of REGEN™ products. PHA is made from renewable resources and tailored for rapid and complete biodegradation in industrial facilities. REGEN™ PHA has been shown to degrade faster and more efficiently compared to alternatives like PLA (polylactic acid), which often require more specific conditions for breakdown.
Does Plastic Biodegrade or Decompose?
Plastic can biodegrade and decompose, but the terms refer to distinct processes. Biodegradation is the breakdown of materials by microorganisms into natural substances requiring specific environmental conditions.
Decomposition, on the other hand, is a broader term encompassing any breakdown process, including physical fragmentation into microplastics, which may persist in the environment.
While all biodegradable plastics decompose, not all decomposing plastics are biodegradable; some simply break into smaller pieces without being absorbed into natural cycles.
REGEN™ is committed to bridging this gap by producing compostable materials like PHA that fully biodegrade without disposal of toxins and aligning with a sustainable, circular economy.
How Does Biodegradable Plastic Break Down?
Biodegradable plastics like PHA break down through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which consume the material and convert it into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
For products like REGEN™ PHA, this process happens most efficiently in industrial composting environments, where controlled conditions, such as high temperatures, optimal moisture, and aeration, accelerate biodegradation.
However, unlike many other bioplastics, PHA can biodegrade in natural environments, including soil and marine ecosystems, making it a versatile and eco-friendly solution. This characteristic showcases how REGEN™ PHA aligns with environmental sustainability and real-world practicality.
How Long Does It Take for Plastic to Decompose?
Different plastics have varying decomposition times, depending on environmental factors and their composition. Traditional plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, breaking down into harmful microplastics.
On the other hand, bioplastics, such as PLA and PHA, decompose much faster, especially in controlled conditions like industrial composting, with PHA offering faster decomposition in natural environments.
REGEN™ bioplastics, due to their organic base, decompose and decay faster than traditional plastics, offering a more sustainable alternative.
1. Traditional Petroleum-Based Plastics:
Traditional petroleum-based plastics, like polyethylene (PE) used in plastic bags, can decompose for more than 50 years in natural conditions. At the same time, polypropylene (PP), found in items like straws and bottle caps, breaks down in about 20 to 30 years.
Polystyrene (PS), used in foam cups and disposable cutlery, can persist for over 500 years, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), common in water bottles and food containers, also takes over 50 years to degrade. These plastics break down slowly and often fragment into microplastics, causing long-lasting environmental and climate harm.
2. Bioplastics:
In contrast, bioplastics, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), can decompose much faster, typically within 30 days, but only under industrial composting conditions.
It could take several months to over a year in less controlled environments. PLA, commonly used in 3D printing, disposable tableware, and compostable packaging, cannot break down efficiently in regular landfills or natural environments.
Bioplastics like Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), used in products like biodegradable packaging and medical implants, decompose within a few months depending on environmental factors. In industrial composting facilities that offer controlled conditions, decomposing occurs much faster.
However, degradation measurements in the natural environment lack standardization, so results can vary based on location, soil, or water conditions. These should be viewed as estimates rather than exact figures. Furthermore, REGEN™ PHA products are designed to break down more quickly and decompose into natural compounds.
3. Other Environmentally Friendly Plastics:
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is another environmentally friendly plastic. It is used in the medical field for sutures and shrug delivery systems. PCL degrades relatively fast, taking 3 to 5 years under natural conditions, but degrades more rapidly in composting environments.
Another example is starch-based plastics, which produce grocery bags, food containers, and disposable cutlery, which degrade only within 5 to 10 weeks under favorable conditions.
4. Non-Biodegradable Plastics:
Non-biodegradable plastics, such as Acrylic, decompose for more than 100 years. Acrylic is often used for paints, adhesives, and windows.
Moreover, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), used for producing pipes, flooring, and cable insulation, persists in the environment for 1,000 years or more, contributing significantly to long-term waste issues and endangering wildlife.
Therefore, while all plastics don’t decompose simultaneously, biodegradable options like REGEN™ bioplastics offer a more eco-friendly solution by reducing environmental impact.
Why is Plastic Difficult to Decompose?
Traditional plastics are difficult to decompose because of their firm, stable molecular structure, which comprises long chains of synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals.
These polymers resist attack by microorganisms, allowing plastics to persist in the environment for hundreds of years, polluting oceans and increasing the carbon footprint. In contrast, PHA, like that used in REGEN™ products, is biobased and designed to mimic natural materials.
Its molecular structure is easily recognized and digested by microbes, enabling efficient biodegradation into harmless byproducts like water and carbon dioxide. This fundamental difference makes PHA a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Plastics
Sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics are transforming industries with eco-friendly solutions, and PHA-based products, like those offered by REGEN™, are at the forefront of this change.
Made from renewable resources, PHA is fully compostable and biodegradable, breaking down naturally in industrial and natural environments without leaving harmful residues.
Unlike conventional plastics, which can last for centuries, PHA supports the principles of a circular economy by reducing environmental impact and helping divert trash. Its versatility makes it suitable for various applications, from packaging to agriculture, offering a practical and scalable solution for a more sustainable future.
Biodegradable Plastics
Biodegradable plastics are designed to break down into natural elements by the action of microbes, making them a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
Unlike petrochemical-based plastics, which can take centuries to decompose, biodegradable plastics help reduce environmental harm by minimizing waste and pollution. REGEN™ products, created from the reuse of natural sources like plant-based PHA, showcase this innovation.
They are fully biodegradable and compostable, returning to the environment without leaving toxic residues behind. Using renewable feedstocks, REGEN™ supports sustainability goals, promotes a circular economy, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Key Takeaways
- Biodegradable plastics offer several advantages for the environment and society, contributing to a more sustainable future for the Earth and its inhabitants.
- Unlike traditional plastics, biodegradable plastics break down over time through processes like erosion, aided by sunlight and the sun’s natural energy.
- This reduction in persistence ensures that products like diapers, which often take decades to decompose, no longer contribute to long-term pollution. Researchers and scientists are increasingly aware of plastic waste’s impact on people, animals, and ecosystems around the globe.
- As awareness of these environmental issues grows, more people advocate for alternatives that protect the planet, support human and animal rights, and help reduce our carbon footprint.
- REGEN™ products decompose much more quickly, offering a sustainable solution that helps reduce waste over time. Using biodegradable plastics can reduce waste, protect natural habitats, and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plastic Eventually Break Down?
Conventional plastics do not fully break down. Instead, these plastics fragment into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing ongoing pollution.
In contrast, REGEN™ bioplastics are designed to decompose completely, breaking down into natural, non-toxic compounds absorbed by the environment. This ability to fully degrade means that REGEN™ bioplastics offer a much more sustainable option, reducing the long-term environmental impact associated with plastic waste.
Can All Types of Plastic Break Down at the Same Rate?
The rate at which plastic breaks down depends mainly on its composition. Traditional plastics, made from petroleum-based materials, can take hundreds of years to degrade, breaking down slowly into harmful microplastics.
On the other hand, bioplastics like REGEN™ are specifically designed to decompose much quicker, within a couple of months. This faster decomposition makes bioplastics far more sustainable than conventional plastics, reducing environmental impact.
Does Plastic Last Forever?
Traditional plastics can stick around for hundreds or even thousands of years, breaking down slowly into microplastics that continue to pollute the environment. This long lifespan leads to a buildup of plastic waste, causing significant harm to ecosystems.
In contrast, biodegradable plastics like those from REGEN™ are designed to break down much faster when exposed to the right conditions. These plastics decompose into natural, non-toxic compounds, significantly reducing their environmental impact and offering a more sustainable way to manage plastic waste.
