Why Don’t We Have More Biodegradable Plastic Options?

Cactus Juice Plastic Offers A Breakthrough

A research professor at the University of Valle de Atemajac in Mexico is producing a promising biodegradable plastic alternative.  The product, derived from the juice of a cactus, could revolutionize the single use plastic industry.  But, only if the formulations can move from lab experimentation to full scale commercial production.  Doing so is a test of feasibility.

When it comes to food supply chains, plastic has become essential.  For all the harm it may do to our oceans and soils, plastic also keeps food safe and fresh.  It acts as a moisture barrier which prevents harmful microbes from contaminating food.  It keeps humidity out, effectively preventing spoilage and even extending the shelf life of some products.  Packaging also protects against insects and reduces the spread of germs.  

The mango someone eats in Canada might not have made it from Brazil without plastic.  And, the developing nation lacking robust supply chain infrastructure might not be able to get food where it's needed before it spoils if it weren’t for plastic.  Plastic is a major component of food security, and one that, at this point, we can’t go without.

In theory, developing a biodegradable, plant based plastic would offer a solution to the problem of plastic pollution while also affording us food security benefits.  In practice, it's harder to make a truly biodegradable plastic that can also hold up to the demands of its job.  When we think of feasibility we think about the cost to benefit ratio, whether or not production can scale while maintaining benefits and the overall quality of a product. Moving from the lab into industrial production is about more than just a financial investment or corporate backing.

Will The Benefits of Cacti Plastic Outweigh the Production Costs?

So far, we know a few things from lab research. Using cactus juice to make plastic could reduce our reliance on crude oil.  Current formulations are only using non-toxic resources which means that both humans and animals could ingest cacti plastic safely.  Cacti are renewable resources with some species even considered to be a nuisance on agricultural land. And, final products are fully biodegradable in either soil or water.  These are significant benefits considering plastic bags from the 1970s have been discovered in the oceans deepest trenches and other, similar products, contain percentages of harmful ingredients. Potential impact in the single use plastic industry is great.

What we don’t know yet, is what commercial production will cost.  Outside of lab research, manufacturers must consider labor, equipment and transport costs. Without established supply chains, production builds around where cactus juice can be sourced and processed into plastic.  If production expenses are significant, then the final product could come to market at a higher price point than other options also toasting biodegradable claims.  If costs remain manageable, then cacti plastic could carve out its place in the market

However, costs consider more than just what is listed on an expense sheet.  If large scale production uses an excessive amount of energy, drains non renewable resources, or contributes to environmental pollution, any benefits the final product might have afforded us are canceled out by negative environmental impacts. We might have saved the ocean from sandwich bags, but drained precious water away from food producing agricultural crops or increased our use of synthetic pesticides.  Who decides which one is acceptable?

Can Plastic Derived From Cacti Be Commercially Produced?

Feasibility must also consider how well production can scale.  In this case, plastic derived from cacti is only beneficial if it can significantly reduce the amount of single use plastics that are entering our soils and oceans, some 2 million tons a year, or are made from non renewable resources.  In the lab, the plastics have been produced in small batches which yield consistent results.  Outside the lab this becomes more difficult to achieve.  

Will each batch of cactus juice produce the same product?  Will it matter if cactus leaves are sourced from different regions or harvested in different seasons?  And, even though they grow on every continent except Antarctica, can a cactus grow fast enough to ensure there are no supply gaps? To make a real dent in the problem of single use plastics will we have to farm prickly pear plants? 

Consumers care about consistency; regular access to a product at a predictable price point with dependable functionality.  Sometimes scaling up production means a product sacrifices its quality for the sake of quantity.  That decision directly correlates to a goal.  If we want fewer plastic pollutants, then product quality might not be as important as its ability to fully dissolve in a short amount of time after its use.  The straw might be flimsy when you use it, but it won’t sit in the ocean for fifty years. On the other hand, if durability is just as important as its ability to dissolve quickly then scaling production capacity might be a longer process.

Are Plant Base Plastics Realistic?

Some say the concept is wonderful but impractical.  Plant based plastics will never be both high quality and fully biodegradable.  The issue comes down to how we define quality.  

Currently most biodegradable products on the market require specific composting conditions.  They must be sorted out and kept in soil at specific temperatures in order to break down. They will remain as is or take a long time to break down outside these specified parameters.  Other products can make biodegradable claims because they contain a certain percentage of material that can break down, again in the right conditions.  Quality is determined by how environmentally friendly the product is.  These options have the potential to reduce pollution if when sorted to the right compost facility, but they still contain small amounts of toxic chemicals or non-renewable resources.  They are better for the environment, but only if they are handled correctly.  

Quality can also be defined by how durable a product is.  If you are using a plant based plastic fork at a backyard bbq and it breaks down from heat in the middle of the meal, it isn’t really serving its primary purpose.  If your plastic knife breaks when you apply pressure to cut your steak, again, it isn’t doing its job.  

Cacti have taken the spotlight because they just might be able to be both durable and truly biodegradable.  Products can start to break down quickly without specific conditions.  According to lab results they can begin dissolving in water in just a few days.  Researchers believe marine life would consume cactus juice plastic since they are completely made of edible ingredients.  In soil the plant plastics take a bit longer to break down, but do not require temperature controlled composting facilities to do so.  Cactus plastic could drastically reduce pollution caused by mismanaged single use plastics.  

Biodegradable doesn’t mean it is perfect, but it should mean that it is easier for the environment to handle.  If production proves feasible, cacti plastics could reshape the single use plastic industry around the world.