Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Plastech’s Certified 100% Home Compostable Cornstarch Bags vs. Traditional Plastic Bags
Traditional Plastic Bags
Production:
Traditional plastic bags are typically made from petroleum-based polyethylene. Their production is highly energy-intensive and reliant on fossil fuels, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon Footprint Estimate: Around 1.58 kg CO₂ per bag. (Source: colortech.com)
End-of-Life:
Plastic bags can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to microplastic pollution. Even when recycled, they degrade in quality and often end up in landfills or oceans.
Plastech’s 100% Certified Home Compostable Cornstarch Bags
Production:
Plastech’s compostable bags are derived from plants, a renewable resource. During production, fewer greenhouse gases are released compared to fossil-fuel-based plastic bags. Plant-based materials such as PLA or similar blends are plant-based and do not require toxic petrochemicals. Carbon Footprint Estimate: Plant-based bags can have up to 25% lower emissions compared to traditional plastic. (Source: news.climate.columbia.edu)
End-of-Life:
Plastech’s bags are certified 100% home compostable, meaning they decompose fully within 180 days in home compost conditions, returning nutrients to the soil without leaving behind toxic residues or microplastics. This eliminates the long-term environmental pollution risk of traditional plastic.
The breakdown of Plastech's 100% certified home compostable cornstarch bags involves natural processes driven by microorganisms, heat, moisture, and oxygen. Here’s the science behind their decomposition in soil and the ocean:
Hydrolysis of Starch Polymers:
Cornstarch, the primary component, is a polysaccharide made of glucose molecules. In moist soil, water penetrates the material and triggers hydrolysis, breaking down long starch chains into simpler sugars.
Microbial Degradation:
Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) in soil consume the simpler sugars and produce enzymes like amylases that further digest the material.
These microbes convert the sugars into CO₂, water, and biomass, completing the decomposition.
Oxygen and Heat Influence:
Aerobic (oxygen-rich) environments in home compost piles accelerate the breakdown process by increasing microbial activity and metabolic rates.
In optimal conditions, Plastech bags fully degrade within 180 days, leaving no toxic residues.
Saltwater and Hydrolysis:
Saltwater can similarly trigger hydrolysis of the starch polymers, although the process is slower due to lower temperatures and less microbial activity compared to soil.
Marine Microorganisms:
Certain marine bacteria and fungi, such as those from the genus Vibrio or Pseudoalteromonas, can digest plant-based materials like cornstarch.
These microbes break the material into glucose and further metabolize it into CO₂ and organic matter.
UV Radiation and Physical Erosion:
In shallow water, UV rays from sunlight can weaken the material by breaking down molecular bonds, aiding microbial degradation.
Ocean currents and physical forces (abrasion, wave action) may also fragment the material, increasing its surface area for microbial activity.
Biodegradation vs. Traditional Plastics
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Plastech Bags: Fully biodegrade into natural elements (CO₂, water, biomass) without releasing harmful substances.
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Plastic Bags: Do not biodegrade but instead fragment into microplastics that persist for centuries and harm marine and soil ecosystems.
Plastech Patent Innovation
Reusable, Plant-Based, Compostable Film, with a non-toxic Antimicrobial Agent built into the blend providing a minimum of 99% protection against germs, viruses, surface mold, bacteria and odors.
When used for food packaging or refrigerator storage (meats, cheeses, produce) this proprietary blend has proven to extend freshness for up to an additional 7 days or an extra 30%+ of Fresh Time.
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3 Patents Pending
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North America
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International Phased by Region
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The blend can be included in any bag or soft packaging product
Plastech Product Certifications
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines Compostable as “all the materials in a product or package will break down into, or otherwise become a part of, usable compost (e.g., rich soil conditioning material, mulch) in a safe and timely manner in an appropriate composting program, facility, or in a home compost pile or device.’’
A “timely manner” means between 90 to 180 days, leaving no nanoplastics, microplastics, or toxic residue.
