Biobased Compostable Plastics End-of-Life: Environmental Assessment Including Carbon Footprint and Microplastic Impacts.

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we examine how traditional life-cycle assessment (LCA) for bio-based and compostable plastics overlooks issues surrounding carbon sequestration and microplastic persistence. To outline biased comparisons drawn from these omitted environmental impacts, we provide, as an example, a comparative LCA for compostable biobased vs. non-compostable fossil-based materials. In doing so we (1) demonstrate the proper way to capture carbon footprints to make fair comparisons and (2) identify the overlooked issues of microplastics and the need for non-persistent alternatives. By ensuring accurate biogenic carbon capture, key contributors to CO₂ evolution are properly identified, allowing well-informed changes to formulations that can reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse

SUBMITTER: Keyes A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11548190 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature