A review of the literature on bioplastics, combined with an analysis of European and Brazilian legislation, reveals that the lack of global standards has hampered the adoption of sustainable solutions and contributed to greenwashing – a marketing practice that deceptively promotes products as environmentally friendly. An article published in the Journal of Sustainability suggests that intermediary institutions – such as the Brazilian Association for Technical Standards (ABNT) and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) in Brazil, or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in the international arena – should play a central role in standardizing this Market.
The work carried out by an interdisciplinary group composed of professors and researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), from the fields of food engineering, chemical engineering, economics and law, and members of the All4Food network, received support from FAPESP through two projects (21/ 11967-6 and 20/13307-0).
“We investigated how intermediary institutions can establish clear global definitions for bioplastics, protect consumers from greenwashing and contribute to the transition towards a circular economy, where waste is converted into resources,” says Vivian Lara Silva, professor at the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering at the University of São Paulo. (FZEA-USP): “Our study highlights the role of these institutions in translating the overall institutional rules, setting technical standards and monitoring their compliance,” at the Birasununga Campus, the first author of the article.
According to Maria Teresa Freire, also a professor at FZEA-USP and co-author of the article, today there is conceptual confusion between terms such as “bioplastic” and “life-based.” [baseado em biomassa, segundo a International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry – Iupac]“Biodegradable” and “biodegradable.” Plastic can be of biological or biological origin, but is not necessarily biodegradable and/or compostable. As examples, it cites non-biodegradable materials of biological or biological origin that are chemically identical to products of fossil origin, such as polyethylene (PE), produced from sugarcane ethanol, and bio-based polyethylene (PET). It is produced from cornstarch.
“When the prefix “bio” is associated with a substance, consumers may believe that they are buying something that decomposes quickly under natural conditions and does not cause any impact on the environment. You can think that the behavior of this substance is different from that which occurs in the processes of slow decomposition of substances from petroleum derivatives, which It takes decades and is known to generate microplastics. However, the material obtained from a renewable source may also require specific conditions for degradation.
One example I mentioned is polylactic acid (PLA), which is produced from cornstarch or sugarcane. This material is biodegradable, as it is biodegradable according to ISO standards. However, it does not decompose successfully in the natural environment due to the action of microorganisms and at room temperature. Under industrial conditions, it decomposes in six to nine weeks, and in the ocean it can take a year and a half. It is mainly used in the food industry to produce consumable items such as cups, cutlery, plates, trays and food containers.
“There are materials of biological origin or renewable sources that require high temperatures for decomposition or require specific treatments in compost bins or municipal digesters, or even in specific sanitary landfills, under specific and tested conditions. On the other hand, there are also materials of fossil origin that are biodegradable, such as poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). Many PBAT-based products find their applications in bags, garbage bags, cutlery, and cling films, among other possibilities,” says Freire.
The researcher adds that it is also necessary to take into account that scientific studies raise questions about the production of microplastics in the decomposition processes of biodegradable materials. We must also take into account that in addition to the formation of microplastics, decomposition in compost produces methane, which contributes to global warming.
As technological knowledge advances, it becomes evident the great diversity of final products obtained through combinations of different biopolymers, which, whether or not cross-linked with other biopolymers and other substances (additives), allow a variety of industrial applications. From this perspective, scientific studies seeking to understand and evaluate the degradation mechanisms of these formulations are also progressing, taking into account that different combinations of materials can present different degradation behaviors, whether in a controlled or natural environment.
“Moreover, it is necessary to know the environmental impacts resulting from the combination of materials that correspond to the waste generated in the decomposition process. These challenges are pieces of a large puzzle that do not yet form a clear picture. Medium enterprises can make an important contribution in piecing together these The pieces come together, forming a bridge between macro and micro institutions involved in the world of bioplastics.
Given the scope and complexity of the topic, as well as understanding the real impacts on the environment, we must seek uniform language and understanding among experts and researchers – essential steps for more concrete action on planetary health and care. Climatic requirements and limiting species extinctions are pressing environmental problems of the present day. The lack of precise and clear definitions generates misunderstanding and creates great difficulties for those who produce, sell and use these materials. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of regulatory coherence, which prevents the adoption of truly sustainable solutions on a global scale.
“One of the biggest problems is that there is no consensus on what characterizes bioplastics. In the European Union, for example, there is no official definition. Without this definition, it is difficult for companies to act in a transparent way,” says Vitor Di Battista, M.Sc. V. Ribeirão Preto (FDRP-USP) and co-author of the article. He highlights that the absence of clear standards not only leads to confusion in the market, but also prevents sustainable innovations from getting the regulatory support they need to thrive.
According to the researchers, intermediary institutions are responsible for setting these standards, with standards and criteria agreed upon nationally and internationally. “The role of these institutions is to translate the overall institutional legislation into applicable technical standards,” Freire points out, “to monitor compliance.”
The article also suggests that technological solutions for developing new materials should be aligned with public awareness efforts. “Environmental education is crucial in this process. It is a fallacy to think that we can have a diet completely free of plastic. “But we can and must reduce the excessive consumption of plastics, many of which have become common without a real need for them.” , highlights Silva.
For an effective communication process between science and society, it is crucial to harmonize definitions so that a single, unambiguous language can be built that allows the market and educators to disseminate knowledge with one voice.
Part of the group of researchers involved in the review of the literature on bioplastics is currently collaborating on another work front: the Scientific Center for the Development of Solutions for Post-Consumer Waste: Packaging and Products (CCD Circula). With support from FAPESP, the Center is managed by the Institute of Food Technology (ITAL) and is based on the “triple helix” model, where government, research institutes, universities and companies collaborate in the search for socially relevant solutions.
The article on bioplastics and the role of institutions in designing sustainable post-consumer solutions can be accessed at: www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5029. FAPESP Agency
