Researchers worldwide are focused on developing biodegradable plastics to mitigate the environmental impact of petroleum-based plastics.
Conventional, petroleum-based plastics contribute to pollution and landfill overflow, while biodegradable plastics can be synthesized in bacteria or plants.
Biodegradable plastic, synthesized from bacteria or plants, has the potential to be disposed of in a way that is less damaging to the environment. Its use encompasses agriculture, food packing to biomedical devices, and tableware.
A notable player in this field is Green Dot Bioplastics, a Kansas-based bioscience enterprise. Their latest innovation is a biodegradable biocomposite for horticultural use, crafted from reclaimed biobased feedstocks. This product is part of Green Dot’s broader lineup of biobased and compostable materials, aimed at fostering a more sustainable world.
By reducing pollution, waste, and methane emissions from landfills, Green Dot’s products offer a greener alternative to traditional plastics. These biodegradable resins can be processed similarly to conventional plastics, with the added benefit of lower energy consumption due to lower processing temperatures.
Our new Terratek biodegradable biocomposite offers unique functional and aesthetic attributes with a lighter environmental footprint compared to horticulture containers currently in use
Mark Remmert – Green Dot Bioplastics CEO
Terratek BD2114, one of Green Dot’s offerings, is made from 80% reclaimed and 80% biobased materials. It serves as a renewable and biodegradable replacement for traditional plastic pots, potentially reducing greenhouse water consumption by up to 600%.
Of note, the company partnered with the popular 90s rock band ‘Pearl Jam’ and Sea-Lect Plastics to manufacture a biodegradable luggage tag in 2015.
