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{{MECH370}}
{{MECH370}}
=Introduction and Motivation=
=Introduction and Motivation=
In light of the massive surge for environmental accountability in this day and age, one of the major sources of pollution is that of plastics. Since the 1950's it can be estimated that over 1 Billion tons of plastic have been placed into landfills, and current estimates state that it will take hundreds or thousands of years to completely degrade [Wikipedia:Plastic]. There has been a great response in people recycling much of their plastic waste, but if the plastic could simply be composted, or designed to degrade in a quick, environmentally friendly way much of the waste could be eliminated from the landfills, and the hassle of recycling would become moot. This page will therefore look at the production of biodegradable plastics, how widespread the implementation is and can be, and attempt to find ways to make the process more energy or materials efficient. As well,the actual process will be evaluated to see if it is actually better for the environment in the long run. Such breakthroughs will hopefully further drive the plastics industry to develop the processes needed to produce this plastic, and help the environment.
In light of the massive surge for environmental accountability in this day and age, one of the major sources of pollution is that of plastics. Since the 1950's it can be estimated that over 1 Billion tons of plastic have been placed into landfills, and current estimates state that it will take hundreds or thousands of years to completely degrade <ref name="one">Alan Weisman, "The World Without Us," St. Martin's Press, NY, 2007.</ref>. There has been a great response in people recycling much of their plastic waste, but if the plastic could simply be composted, or designed to degrade in a quick, environmentally friendly way much of the waste could be eliminated from the landfills, and the hassle of recycling would become moot. This page will therefore look at the production of biodegradable plastics, how widespread the implementation is and can be, and attempt to find ways to make the process more energy or materials efficient. As well,the actual process will be evaluated to see if it is actually better for the environment in the long run. Such breakthroughs will hopefully further drive the plastics industry to develop the processes needed to produce this plastic, and help the environment.


=Overview of Plastic Processing=
=Overview of Plastic Production=
{{WP|Plastics}} are the basic building blocks of today's society. Over the last 60 years<ref name="two">Michel Vert, "Biopolymers and Artificial Biopolymers in Biomedical Applications, an Overview", Biomedical polymers: sustainable polymer science and technology, eds. Chiellini, Emo.Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York:2001. pp.63</ref>, the development of plastics has been developed and perfected to such a degree that almost anything can be made of plastic and it's many {{WP|composites}}.
=Bioplastic Production/Processing Methods Used today=
=Bioplastic Production/Processing Methods Used today=
==PHA production: production of plastic directly within bacterial and plant cells==
==PHA production: production of plastic directly within bacterial and plant cells==
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=Energy,Cost and Waste comparison=
=Energy,Cost and Waste comparison=


 
=References=
 
<references/>


[[Category:Green chemistry]][[Category:Ecological footprint]][[Category:Pollution]][[Category:Sustainability]][[Category:Waste management]][[Category:Composting]]
[[Category:Green chemistry]][[Category:Ecological footprint]][[Category:Pollution]][[Category:Sustainability]][[Category:Waste management]][[Category:Composting]]

Revision as of 20:07, 4 December 2009

Template:MECH370

Introduction and Motivation

In light of the massive surge for environmental accountability in this day and age, one of the major sources of pollution is that of plastics. Since the 1950's it can be estimated that over 1 Billion tons of plastic have been placed into landfills, and current estimates state that it will take hundreds or thousands of years to completely degrade [1]. There has been a great response in people recycling much of their plastic waste, but if the plastic could simply be composted, or designed to degrade in a quick, environmentally friendly way much of the waste could be eliminated from the landfills, and the hassle of recycling would become moot. This page will therefore look at the production of biodegradable plastics, how widespread the implementation is and can be, and attempt to find ways to make the process more energy or materials efficient. As well,the actual process will be evaluated to see if it is actually better for the environment in the long run. Such breakthroughs will hopefully further drive the plastics industry to develop the processes needed to produce this plastic, and help the environment.

Overview of Plastic Production

W are the basic building blocks of today's society. Over the last 60 years[2], the development of plastics has been developed and perfected to such a degree that almost anything can be made of plastic and it's many W.

Bioplastic Production/Processing Methods Used today

PHA production: production of plastic directly within bacterial and plant cells

PLA production: Manipulation of sugars and starch into polylactides

Developements in Bioplastic processing

Energy,Cost and Waste comparison

References

  1. Alan Weisman, "The World Without Us," St. Martin's Press, NY, 2007.
  2. Michel Vert, "Biopolymers and Artificial Biopolymers in Biomedical Applications, an Overview", Biomedical polymers: sustainable polymer science and technology, eds. Chiellini, Emo.Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York:2001. pp.63
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