8
May
The difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags
Understanding the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags is important if you're considering purchasing bags for your business, as more than 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide. In this article, we'll provide a simple explanation of the distinctions between eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly bags.
What are Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags?
These are a type of shopping bags that have the ability to decompose after a specified period of time when left unused. They are environmentally friendly and do not negatively impact the environment or life within it. In other words, they have the ability to adapt to bacteria and living organisms without causing harm.
They are made from environmentally friendly materials such as regular plastic polymers (i.e., polyethylene) or polypropylene with an additive that causes the polymer (polyethylene) to degrade and then biodegrade due to oxidation and bacteria into water and carbon dioxide.
What are Non-Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags?
These bags are not environmentally friendly and do not decompose due to bacterial activity. If left buried in the soil, it will take more than 200 years for them to decompose. Therefore, they will affect soil permeability and pollute it. This has led many governments and organizations to ban their use in commercial establishments due to their negative environmental impact.
The Difference Between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags
In this part of the article, we'll look at the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable shopping bags, and here are all the details you need to know:
1. Raw Materials Used in Manufacturing: The first difference lies in the raw materials used in making each type of plastic shopping bag. Biodegradable bags are made from natural materials such as PLA, PHA, PBA, PBS, and other polymer materials. Regular non-biodegradable plastic bags are made from plastic materials such as PE.
2. Manufacturing Standards: Biodegradable bags must meet quality and environmental protection standards set by the government and relevant official bodies. Non-biodegradable bags do not need to meet this type of standard.
3. Decomposition Time Differences: Biodegradable plastic shopping bags take about a year to fully decompose, and in some new shopping bags, it only takes 72 days or three months. Non-biodegradable shopping bags, on the other hand, will definitely take longer to decompose, sometimes up to 200 years.
4. Recyclability: Fully biodegradable plastic shopping bags are soft, resistant to corrosion, foldable, and have a relatively long lifespan, which helps in their recycling for various uses.
Why Should Biodegradable Shopping Bags Be Your Choice?
As mentioned earlier, biodegradable plastic shopping bags should be your only choice for protecting the environment from pollution caused by the inability of regular bags to decompose, while also offering excellent performance and longer use compared to any other type of bags.
It's worth mentioning that shopping bags serve multiple purposes, as they allow you to sell and carry different types of materials and products and recycle them for use in various industries.
In conclusion, the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags lies in their high ability to preserve the environment without harming living organisms and decomposing through bacteria in the shortest possible time.
