What are the forms of plastic degradation methods?

Apr 1, 2025

Plastic degradation methods, currently known forms can be divided into biodegradable plastics, photodegradable plastics and environmentally degradable plastics.

(1) Biodegradable plastics refer to plastics that are degraded in the natural environment under the conditions or influence of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds (fungi), and algae.

(2) Photodegradable plastics refer to plastics that degrade under the action of sunlight in the natural environment

Environmentally degradable plastics refer to plastics that are exposed to the natural environment and degrade under the action of light, heat, water, oxygen, pollutants, microorganisms, insects, wind, sand, rain and mechanical forces.

Degradable plastics This kind of degradable plastics is water-soluble and biodegradable, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol/starch degradable plastics, etc.

Photodegradable plastics This degradable plastic refers to polymer resins with groups that are easily degraded by light. Such as ethylene/carbon monoxide copolymer (E/CO), carbon dioxide copolymer (also biodegradable) or PE/PP general resin and photosensitizer.

Prev article：Introduction to the characteristics of degradable straw environmental protection tableware.

Next article：What are the advantages of biodegradable lunch boxes.

Related News

Team keyi wishes you a healthy dragon boat festival!

Team KEYI wishes you a healthy Dragon Boat Festival!

What material is the degradable tableware made of?

With the continuous implementation of the plastic restriction order, degradability has become an inevitable trend in the future, and degradable products have gradually replaced traditional plastic products. Careful friends may find that the disposable tableware used for packaging have changed.

1.Pulp molded tableware (plant fiber molded tableware)

Pulp molded tableware products, in terms of raw materials, the disposable tableware is made of plant fibers such as wheat straw and bagasse, and is formed by the wet pressing process of pulp molding. Food contact requirements are met, and the finished product is finally prepared.

2.PLA degradable tableware

PLA degradable tableware are usually prepared by blending polylactic acid (PLA) with other biodegradable materials.

At the 2022 Winter Olympics, my country will use degradable PLA tableware to make athletes' lunch boxes and tableware. PLA degradable materials come from crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, and sorghum that we usually see.

3.Cornstarch based lunch box

The corn starch degradable tableware is made of natural corn starch and plant fiber as the base material, supplemented by bio-polyester, polyol and other substances. Corn starch lunch boxes can be naturally degraded in the soil and natural environment. The degradation rate can reach 60%-80% according to the ingredients of the tableware. To a certain extent, it can replace plastic products and reduce white pollution to the environment.

Regarding biodegradable 100% compostable tableware, all the questions you May be concerned about are here!

Among the many biodegradable tableware, plant fiber compostable tableware has been recognized by many consumers and catering companies due to its technological innovation and green environmental protection advantages.

However, there are still many people who are unfamiliar or doubtful about biodegradable tableware.

Q1: Why do biodegradable tableware always look "dirty" and not as clean as plastic ones?

A: Whether it is clean or not cannot be completely observed with the naked eye! Most people think that white tableware are clean and hygienic, but this standard does not apply very well to biodegradable tableware.

Plant fiber tableware often use natural plant fibers as raw materials, such as straw, bamboo, bagasse, etc. The color of these materials themselves is not white, so the color of the tableware made is slightly darker, not pure white, and it is impossible to be transparent like a plastic tableware.

In fact, some of the pulp tableware we see every day is also bleached. Some qualified compostable tableware will also add edible additives in the post-production process in order to enhance the aesthetics.

Therefore, looking "clean" and "pure white" is not necessarily more hygienic. On the contrary, the plain-looking primary color lunch box may be more original.

Q2: Can the tableware with plant fiber as raw material be heated? Will its performance be excellent?

A: The plant fiber tableware is admired not only because it is derived from nature, environmentally friendly and degradable, but also inseparable from its own excellent performance.

Take the disposable vegetable fiber tableware produced by LVWEI as an example. It has excellent temperature resistance and can be used in the range of -20°C to 200°C, so microwave heating is not a problem at all, and it can also be stored in the refrigerator.

It is especially commendable that it is water-resistant, oil-resistant and leak-proof. In the process of use, because the bagasse is used as the raw material, it will not release toxic and harmful substances, and its safety is also guaranteed. It is very suitable as a food contact material.

Q3: Since the plant fiber tableware is degradable, will it gradually degrade during use? Since it is degradable, can it be degraded at home?

A: First of all, there is no need to worry about the self-degradation of the tableware during use. Because it can be degraded or fully degraded, it is necessary to meet the corresponding conditions. Temperature, humidity, microbial biomass, aeration conditions, etc. all affect the degradation rate. If it is used in a normal environment, there is no need to worry about this aspect at all.

For biodegradable tableware that have been degraded and used at home, there are actually many cases abroad for reference. At present, the evaluation of degradable materials often uses composting, which can be further divided into industrial composting and garden composting. The compostable materials on the market are basically biodegradable materials under industrial composting conditions.

And the genuine plant fiber molded tableware can be completely composted in the garden, that is, home compost. There are relevant standard certifications abroad. After this type of tableware is equipped with corresponding composting conditions, it can be degraded at home by itself.

Q4: What kind of garbage should the plant fiber tableware be classified as after use?

A: Since tableware made of plant fibers is environmentally friendly and easy to degrade, it is normal for people to have doubts about their garbage classification.

In fact, the classification of plant fiber tableware should be explored according to which plant fiber it is made of.

If it is just pure plant fiber, such as the tableware produced by LVWEI, which is completely made of bagasse, then it is naturally recyclable garbage. If it contains other ingredients in addition to plant fiber, such as cornstarch, then it should be disposed of as dry garbage.

Through the above questions and answers, you must have a further understanding of plant fiber lunch boxes. In the environment of "banning plastics", policies force various industries and consumers to continuously learn new knowledge and change their daily habits.

Environmental protection is no trivial matter,

Let's start by purchasing an eco-friendly lunch box!

Related Product

×

GET A FREE QUOTE