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Start Over Topic bioplasticos Publication Year Range Last 10 years
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1. Greenwashing Revelations through Revision: Re-evaluating Sustainability Claims for Bioplastics.

Author

Gonçalves, Bianca, Green, Daisy, Kraczon, Kim, and Weiss, Talia

Abstract

Since its launch in January 2021, Ki Culture’s Waste and Materials Ki Book has been downloaded over 5,000 times by practitioners of cultural heritage worldwide, establishing the online sustainability manual as one of the leading guides for mitigating the environmental burden of materials we encounter in conserving cultural heritage. The sustainability manual initially focused on finding alternatives to reduce waste and lessen the environmental impact of the plastic materials we encounter in collections care and transport. This led to exploring emerging alternative materials such as bioplastics as potential replacements for petroleum-derived plastics. Terms such as ‘biodegradable’, ‘compostable’, ‘green’, ‘environmentally friendly’, and ‘sustainable’ are commonly used in the marketing strategies for bioplastics and biobased materials. However, the question arises: are these alternatives better options for the environment and cultural heritage than their plastic counterparts? Some of the materials highlighted in the Waste and Materials Ki Book showed evidence of greenwashing. What constitutes a sustainable material, and how do we identify and trust the ‘green’ alternatives available? By honing our criteria for environmentally responsible materials and examining the terminology associated with bioplastics, we can identify greenwashing. This paper critically evaluates so-called green alternatives in conservation, with a focus on greenwashing associated with polylactic acid (PLA). Emphasizing the need for informed decision-making, the study directly reflects the ongoing revision of the Waste and Materials Ki Book. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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2. Alternativas aos plásticos de utilização única, foco em soluções comestíveis

Author

Costa, Marina Rolim da, Fernando, Ana, and Peça, João

Subjects
SUSTENTABILIDADE, PLÁSTICOS COMESTÍVEIS, SOLUÇÕES MIMÉTICAS, BIOPLÁSTICOS, Engenharia e Tecnologia::Outras Engenharias e Tecnologias [Domínio/Área Científica]
Abstract

Plásticos de origem fóssil são materiais extremamente versáteis e de baixo valor agregado. Por este motivo é utilizado nas mais diversas áreas, incluindo as embalagens para produtos alimentares, justificando a produção anual de 368 milhões de toneladas. Por ser um material resistente, e dependendo do tipo de plástico, estima-se que a degradação deste material pode levar até 500 anos, sendo os impactos ambientais causados por este material enormes. Na tentativa de minimizar estes problemas, tem havido nos últimos anos diversas iniciativas de carácter legislativo, de investigação e de carácter político (a nível europeu e nacional) e outros incentivos, para criar alternativas mais sustentáveis. Os plásticos de utilização única são de grande importância nessa temática devido ao curto período de uso e rápido descarte. Investigadores e empresas estão em busca de alternativas e algumas já são comercializadas como é o caso dos bioplásticos de ácido poliláctico (PLA), artigos feitos em papel, tecidos e outras alternativas que além de biodegradáveis e de carácter renovável, são comestíveis, como é o caso dos artigos fabricados a partir de subprodutos de algas, gelatinas e cereais. O objetivo deste trabalho incide nas alternativas aos plásticos de uso único, com foco nas alternativas comestíveis. Plastics of fossil origin are extremely versatile materials at low cost. For this reason, it is used in the most diverse areas, including food packaging, justifying the annual production of 368 million tons. As it is a resistant material, and depending on the type of plastic, it is estimated that the degradation of this material can take up to 500 years, and the environmental impacts caused by this material are enormous. In an attempt to minimize these problems, there have been in recent years several legislative, research and political (at European and national level)initiatives and other incentives, to create more sustainable alternatives. Single-use plastics are of great importance in this area due to their short period of use and quick disposal. Researchers and companies are looking for alternatives and some are already commercialized, such as polylactic acid bioplastics (PLA), articles made from paper, fabrics and other alternatives that, in addition to being biodegradable and renewable, are edible, as is the case of articles made from by-products of algae, gelatins and cereals. The objective of this work focuses on alternatives to single-use plastics, adressing on edible alternatives.

Published
2021