9 - Biodegradable Polymers - General characteristics

Question 1

What are biodegradable polymers?

Answer 1

Can be made from finite resources, such as crude oil. Contains additives which allow it to degrade quicker than normal polymers

Question 2

What are the two categories of bio-polymers?

Answer 2

Natural bio-polymers

Synthetic bio-polymers

Question 3

What are natural bio-polymers?

Answer 3

Made from natural materials like cellulose, starch and polysaccharides

Question 4

What are synthetic bio-polymers?

Answer 4

Made from renewable resources, but chemically engineered (synthesised) so that they break down more quickly.

Question 5

Implications of using biodegradeable polymers

Answer 5

• Can produce methane gas when they decompose in landfill (greenhouse gas)
• Take high temps to decompose and can leave behind toxic residue
• Cannot be recycled - may contribute to a throwaway culture

+ Can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics: injection moulded, blow moulded, calendered and vacuum moulded etc.

• May be confusing to distinguish between bio-polymer and biodegradeable polymer for a regular person. Makes it harder to make positive environmental decisions while shopping.

Question 6

Implications of using bio-polymers

Answer 6

• Need land to grow the crops that make them (including GM crops)
• Cannot be recycled - may contribute to a throwaway culture

+ Can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics: injection moulded, blow moulded, calendered and vacuum moulded etc.

• May be confusing to distinguish between bio-polymer and biodegradeable polymer for a regular person. Makes it harder to make positive environmental decisions while shopping.