what are bioplastics

Bioplastics are a type of plastic material produced from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, and recycled food waste. They can be divided into three major classes: durable bioplastics, degradable bioplastics, and "drop-in" bioplastics. Durable bioplastics, such as Bio-PET or biopolyethylene, are bio-based analogues of fossil-based polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene, while degradable bioplastics, such as polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, or polyhydroxyalkanoates, can break down naturally. "Drop-in" bioplastics, such as biopolyethylene, can fit into existing recycling streams. Bioplastics can be used to reduce the problem of plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the environment. They have several advantages, including reducing carbon footprint, providing energy savings in production, not involving the consumption of non-renewable raw materials, and reducing non-biodegradable waste. Bioplastics are becoming more dominant in some markets, while the output of fossil plastics also steadily increases.