The Benefits of Using Bio-Derived Plastics
Bio-derived plastics are the plastics we've all dreamed of — renewable, sustainable, more eco-friendly materials to do the same work as traditional plastics without a reliance on fossil fuels and finite resources.
What Are Bio-Derived Plastics?
Bio-derived plastics are, simply, plastics created primarily from living or formerly-living materials such as plant fibers and oils, starches, proteins, and vegetables. Renewable and, in many cases, biodegradable, these modern substances perform as well as than fossil fuel-based predecessors, but with reduced environmental impact. Common bio-derived plastics are created from corn starch, sugar cane, sugar beets, and tree pulp, and ongoing research is identifying innovative ways to expand the formulations and capabilities of bio-derived plastic materials.
Benefits of Bio-Derived Plastics
Making the transition to bio-derived plastics offers many advantages for businesses, consumers, and the planet as a whole.
Environmental Benefits
Without a question, the primary benefit of shifting from petrochemical-based plastics to bio-based plastics is a reduced impact on the environment, which is reflected across the plastics lifecycle.
- Bioplastics Materials - By their nature, the materials used in making bio-derived plastic materials are renewable and sustainable.
- Bioplastics Production - Bio-derived plastics use substantially fewer fossil fuels in the manufacturing process, also resulting in reduced pollutants, emissions, and lowered need for toxic chemicals.
- Post-Consumer Bioplastics - Most bioplastics are not only fully recyclable, many are also biodegradable and compostable, resulting in less litter, limiting landfill use, and decreasing risks to both the environment and wildlife.
Corporate Benefits
- Consumer Satisfaction - Consumers increasingly seek out products using sustainable practices and materials, while passing over or even shunning those made with traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Opting for bio-derived plastics will almost certainly improve consumer satisfaction and brand reputation.
- Supply Chain - When oil prices rise, availability decreases, and supply chains falter, bio-derived plastics, which can often make use of more locally available raw ingredients, may lower supply and transportation costs.
At Bennett Plastics, we are committed to sustainability across the board, from our facility and practices to the materials we use. Contact us today to learn more about partnering with us to make your traditional or bio-derived plastics products.
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