The bioplastics offer a wide range of advantages for different applications like:
- Bioplastics are made from renewable resources
- Bioplastics have lower environmental impact
- Low foot print
- Bioplastics are recyclable
- They stimulate agricultural activities
From the point of view of handicaps, the main disadvantages of bioplastics are the following:
Higher production cost.
The current technological costs of producing bioplastics are significantly higher than for synthetic plastics. The bioplastics industry is a nascent sector and has higher fixed costs per unit. As a nascent industry, bioplastics need public support or intervention to protect them from competition from synthetic plastics in order to get off the ground.
Deforestation.
The sourcing of organic materials through the free international market could worsen global deforestation and may indirectly affect the price of food products. To solve this problem, the origin and characteristics of organic materials should be regulated to minimise environmental and economic consequences.
Transport pollution.
Organic raw materials for producing bioplastics should be located in the immediate vicinity of the industry (local supply).
The use of water resources
The use of GMOs for second-generation bioplastics
