James Glueck
Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
“Bioplastics” is a term that many people have heard but don’t necessarily understand what it means. At the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC), we work to change that by educating the public and policymakers about renewable materials, including bioplastics, and the circular bioeconomy. So, in honor of Bioplastics Week, we’d like to share some facts with you:
Carbon sequestration
As plants grow, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide can be used to build plant-based products such as biobased plastic. The carbon dioxide is ultimately sequestered in the product during its time as a useful consumer good.
Compostability
Biobased plastics can be designed to be industrially compostable, breaking down through biodegradation at compost facilities in a matter of months. Compostable plastics used in food service applications can significantly reduce landfill emissions by diverting food and plastic waste from landfills.
Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions. Food waste, which is 22% of landfilled municipal waste, is a large contributor to landfill methane emissions. (U.S. EPA) Therefore, compostable biobased plastics and associated food waste can be converted to soil-enriching compost instead of producing methane emissions in landfills.
Recyclability
Biobased plastics can also be designed to be recyclable using existing waste management systems. The majority of biobased plastics that are being recycled now are considered “drop-in” bioplastics, meaning that they are chemically identical to their fossil fuel-based counterparts. (i.e., biobased polypropylene (PP)). Drop-in options are easy for material recovery facilities and mechanical recyclers to process because they can be recycled in the same stream as the conventional counterparts.
Increasing access to and adoption of recycling is of high importance to many bioplastic manufacturers. The U.S. alone sends more than 33 million tons of plastic to landfills every year, and only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. (U.S. EPA)
Job Creation
Entrepreneurs are finding success in producing biobased product alternatives, creating jobs, and supporting local economies. In 2021, the biobased products industry added more than $489 billion to the U.S. economy and supported nearly 4 million jobs. (Golden, J.S., Handfield, R.B. Daystar, J., and S. Pires, 2024)
The bioplastics industry provides a wide variety of high paying jobs in rural communities. In fact, the average salary in this industry is $73,000 per year. Engineers, chemists, accountants, those with manufacturing expertise and many more are all needed to turn plant-based feedstocks into products. Bioplastic production also offers an additional domestic market for farmers/producers of many American feedstocks — algae, bamboo, corn, potatoes, soy, sugar beets, sugarcane, agricultural residues, and more.
Fulfilling Consumer Demand
Consumers are demonstrating a growing acceptance of biobased plastic alternatives. According to 2023 PBPC research:
Biobased alternatives are used in many applications that consumers use daily. Examples of the most common applications where you’ll see biobased plastic products and some of the companies that are manufacturing biobased plastic materials and products include:
Packaging
The consumer and commercial packaging market is full of plant-based innovations. Companies like Sway, Smile Compostable Solutions, BioLogiQ, Green Dot Bioplastics, NatureWorks, Earthfirst by PSI, and others have created bioplastic products using plant-based inputs.
Bioplastic trays, films, coffee capsules, pouches, tea bags and more are often compostable and offer an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based products.
Food Service Ware
Next time you’re organizing a barbeque, check out the plant-based options for serving your watermelon and drinking your iced tea. Disposable plates and cups from Repurpose and Eco-Products are compostable and plant-based.
Single-use cutlery is often available in a plant-based option, including Plant Switch’s forks and knives. And yes, plant-based bioplastic straws are always an option, including Loliware’s seaweed-based alternatives.
Construction Materials
The construction industry presents an exciting opportunity to integrate plant-based applications for a multitude of different uses, including paints, coatings, finishes, insulation, and waxes.
Apparel
The world of apparel has more plant-based products than you may think. In addition to biobased fabric dyes and stain preventers, many companies manufacture clothing using plant-based fabrics.
Virent developed the first bio-polyester used to make apparel with properties and performance identical to the traditional, petroleum-based polyester. Evoco is developing applications for footwear, apparel, and other purposes.
Personal Care
Plant-based chemicals and materials can be found in a host of personal care items, like bar soaps, body powders, hand sanitizers, hair care, and perfume.
Companies like Danimer Scientific have helped bring compostable dental flossers to the market. P2 Science has created renewable liquid polymers for use in cosmetics, personal care, and fragrances – taking “natural beauty” to an entirely new level.
Consumer Education
Strengthening consumer education and information in the marketplace will help people become familiar with bioplastics and their sustainability attributes. Educational efforts can be strengthened through:
Funding for Production
Establishing grants for pilot/pre-commercial phase biorefinery development and lending programs can help facilitate American innovation and encourage increased investment in infrastructure and U.S. biomanufacturing capacity.
Modernizing the BioPreferred Program
USDA’s BioPreferred Program was first created in the 2002 Farm Bill and has since grown to span nearly 140 product categories and more than 4,500 products. The 22-year-old program could benefit from a few changes as Congress drafts the next Farm Bill, including language to strengthen minimum standards for procurement contracts, improved data collection by the federal government, and more.
As we celebrate Bioplastics Week, it’s clear that biobased plastics offer real environmental and economic benefits – from reducing carbon emissions and landfill waste to creating jobs and fostering U.S. innovation. With growing support through education, policy, and investment, bioplastics can become an increasingly integral part of daily life and help drive the circular bioeconomy.
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