Le site de vulgarisation scientifique de l’Université de Liège. ULg, Université de Liège

Biobased plastics, the good and the bad
3/17/16

The subject has raised its fair share of controversies, with differing opinions regarding a recognised responsibility in deforestation. In this respect, sugar cane is far from coming out on top. As a result, would it be relevant to import this raw material to make our bioplastic? “All depends on the mode of transport”, the researcher answers. “It could be imported by ship from Rio to Antwerp, but as granulates or the actual plastic, otherwise we would be transporting a lot of water, so the cargo would be heavier and generate more emissions. If all these conditions were present (and providing there is no impact due to deforestation), this could be neutral in terms of CO2. You would also have to take into account the cost and the social aspect”. It may not be so good for employment at this end, to have it produced at the other end of the world. In addition, in Brazil and other developing countries, it is quite likely that the sugar cane workers don’t receive the best treatment.  “There are sustainable life cycle assessments but the criteria are still under development. We can highlight hotspots, such as: is child labour authorised? Is there a welfare system? How many hours are worked a day? Etc. But where do we put the limit between what is and isn’t acceptable? It’s a subjective point of view”.

Performing a life-cycle assessment is a bit like pulling on the end of a ball of wool. We know where it starts, but we don’t know where it will end. And perhaps knots will appear that complicate things. But in order to knit a greener world, we have no choice but to go through the process!

STEPS HDPE

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