Some alternatives

The UNEP, the UN Environment programme, has identified some possible alternatives.

Natural polymers

The main difference from synthetic polymers is that they can biodegrade quickly. Organic materials derived from plants and animals, such as lignin, cellulose, cacciù, pectin or casein have met human demand for 5000 years, it is useful to try to study an effective return to these materials

Biomass and compostable polymers

Most synthetic polymers are not biodegradable under normal environmental conditions, regardless of whether they are fossil or renewable biomass. In many cases, compostability refers to a process that occurs in an industrial composting plant, i.e. at temperatures of about 60 years for several weeks

Starch polymers

The availability of this material, in particular manioc starch, has created much interest in its possible uses as an alternative to plastic, particularly in containers for the transport of food, provided that the crops do not conflict with food production.

NB: the bags retain 85% of their original mass in both domestic and commercial contexts

Starch-free thermoplastic biocompounds

Where starch products threaten to compete with food production, an alternative is the materials produced by alginate - a chemical compound formed by the sodium salt of alginic acid - : it is a sector with many possibilities of development. Peels are another opportunity. In particular, research is getting good results from tomato waste, with low costs and easily scalable. The entire agricultural waste sector offers opportunities in this direction.

Polymers based on synthetic biomass

Many plant and animal materials can be used to synthesize polymers. Starch and cellulose are the most common, but protein and fat can also be used. Among the best known PLA or polylactide, based on the fermentation of sugars, because it is advantageous with the culture must compete with food, abuse in the use of water, fertilizers, biocides, and energy. The ideal would be the use of agricultural waste at the end of their life. PLA is widely used as an alternative to plastic in catering, so that it can be composted with food

Reuse

In the past, containers were made out of terracotta, leather, metal, glass and other materials. All this changes with the invention of low-cost plastics. Refillable containers for food and drinks are a clear alternative to plastic that we throw away often after using it only once, as for example happens with packaging.