During my Material Technology course at Parsons School of Design(2015), I became interested in bioplastics as a sustainable material. However, is it completely sustainable? Is it really ideal materials for petroleum-free future? My research was started by questioning why bioplastics are emerging, how sustainable materials can affect product lifecycle, and what the real issue of waste is. This research also led me to think about the existing recycling systems and individual's environmental responsibility. We have heard to reduce, reuse, recycle many times, and we have tried to change our habits and lifestyles. It is true that it would be great if each of us move forward, on the other hand, current waste problems are not only from individuals' thoughtless behaviors, but also from system issues. I believe that rethinking waste systems can make bigger impacts.

1. Bioplas(cs,
its
Lifecycle,
and
Recycling
system
June
20,
2015
Material
Technology
:
Research
Presenta;on
(ver.2)
Sungmy
Kim
/
MFA
Transdisciplinary
Design

2. What
are
bioplas;cs?
Contents
Why
are
they
beMer
than
oil-­‐based
plas;cs?
Types
of
bioplas;cs
Starch-­‐based
bioplas;cs
Algae
bioplas;cs
History
Issues
of
bioplas;cs
Limit
of
Plas;c
Recycling
symbols
Industry
-­‐
Solanyl
Applica;ons
Issues
Industry
-­‐
Algix
Applica;ons
Lack
of
facili;es
Miscommunica;ons
between
products
and
bins
Contents
Food
supply
GMO
Non-­‐compostables
Proposal
–
New
recycling
sign
system

3. What
are
Bioplas(cs?
What
are
Bioplas;cs?
Bioplas;cs
:
Substances
made
from
organic
biomass
sources,
such
as
vegetable
oils,
starch,
or
microorganism
Biomass
:
Renewable
sources
from
living
(or
recently
living)
plant
and
animal
materials
which
can
be
used
as
fuel
Biopolymers
:
polymers
produced
by
living
organisms
(polymeric
biomolecules)

4. Why
are
Bioplas;cs
BeMer
than
Oil-­‐based
Plas;cs?
Advantages
Disadvantages

5. -­‐ Half
of
bioplas;cs
in
the
market
are
made
from
starch.
-­‐ Starch-­‐based
plas;c
manufacturing
started
about
1950s.
-­‐ Mainly
it
started
from
starch
manufacturers.
-­‐ Starch
is
from
corn,
potato,
tapioca,
kenaf,
sugarcane,
or
cassava.
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas(cs
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>

6. -­‐ Cutlery
is
the
most
common
starch-­‐based
bioplas;c
product.
-­‐ Toyota
applied
starch-­‐based
bioplas;cs
for
car
interior
materials.
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas(cs
Applica(ons
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Applica;on

7. Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Industry

8. -­‐ Uses
starch
from
byproduct
of
the
french-­‐fry
and
potato
processing
industry
-­‐ Biodegradable,
compostable,
a
single
material
-­‐ Degrada;on
period
is
between
3
months
to
2
years
-­‐ a
renewable
subs;tute
for
PET
or
PS
-­‐ can
be
enhanced
by
applying
controlled
release
technology
to
add
func;onali;es
to
the
grades,
like
fer;lizers,
organic
pes;cides
and
fragrance.
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Manufacturer
:
Solanyl

9. -­‐ injec;on
molding,
sheet
extrusion,
profile
extrusion,
thermoforming
and
extrusion
film
blowing
products
available
-­‐ Able
to
subs;tute
oil-­‐based
plas;cs
and
form
any
shape
like
them
Processing
availability
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Solanyl
Processing
Availability

10. -­‐
‘trade
union’
by
Rachel
Griffin
of
earnest
studio
-­‐ uses
the
starch-­‐based
plas;c
Solanyl
as
a
link
between
mass
produc;on
and
handcraf
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Solanyl
Applica;on
Art
exhibi(on

11. -­‐ very
sensi;ve
to
humidity
-­‐ more
briMle
than
the
ABS
or
PLA
filament
-­‐ takes
longer
;me
to
solidify
when
cooling
so
that
they
had
to
print
objects
at
a
very
low
extrusion
speed(30-­‐50
mm/s)
-­‐ ideal
extruder
temperature
should
be
at
185C
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Solanyl
3D
Prin;ng
3D
Prin(ng

12. Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
Advantages
Disadvantages
3
Issues
on
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas(cs
1
2
3

13. Food
Industrial
Use
“1
million
tons
of
bioplas;cs
produced
annually,
around
300,000
hectares
are
used
to
grow
crops,
or
0.02%
of
the
world's
total
naturally
irrigated
area
available
for
cul;va;on.
Even
if
half
the
world's
plas;cs
were
made
from
crops
grown
on
food
land,
the
industry
would
only
required
3%
of
the
world's
cul;vated
acreage”
En;re
farmland
VS.
“By
2014,
almost
a
quarter
of
US
grain
produc;on
is
expected
to
be
turned
over
to
biofuels
and
bioplas;cs
produc;on,
poten;ally
causing
a
significant
rise
in
food
prices
that
will
hit
the
poorest
people
hardest”
“Of
course
hunger
is
a
problem
but
it
has
a
lot
to
do
with
problems
with
distribu(on
and
waste.
Produc;on
is
actually
sufficient."
Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Food
Supply

14. Some
of
the
bioplas;cs
are
using
gene;cally
modified
crops
or
gene;cally
modified
bacteria
to
op;mize
efficiency
for
industrial
use.
-­‐
Gene
flow
:
Pollen
from
GMOs
can
be
resul;ng
in
hybrid
species.
-­‐
Overuse
of
agricultural
chemicals
:
GMOs
require
more
agricultural
chemicals
(i.e.,
herbicides
and
insec;cides)
:
Some
GMOs
even
produce
their
own
pes;cides.
Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
GMO

15. Figure
1
Usually
we
consider
that
all
bioplas;cs
are
biodgradable
and
bio-­‐based,
but
technically
some
bioplas;cs
are
non-­‐biodgradable
and
fossil-­‐based.
Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Non-­‐compostables

16. Degradable
:
will
fragment
into
smaller
pieces
Biodegradable
:
capable
of
being
broken
down,
usually
by
bacteria,
into
basic
elements
Compostable
:
capable
of
being
decomposed
by
microorganisms
in
the
presence
of
oxygen
Waste
is
transformed
into
soil
amendments
such
as
humus
or
mulch.
Biodegradable
Compostable
Degradable
Features
of
Bioplas(cs
Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Non-­‐compostables

17. Figure
2.
Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Non-­‐compostables

18. Issues
from
Starch-­‐based
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
>
Non-­‐compostables
Biodegraded
plas(cs
are
more
harmful
than
non-­‐degradable
plas(cs.
-­‐ Large
plas;c
waste
is
collec;ble,
but
some
plas;cs
are
only
biodegradable,
and
non-­‐compostable,
small
plas;c
pieces
are
spread
and
absorbed
by
animals.
-­‐ Many
cosme;cs
and
personal
care
products
contain
;ny
plas;c
microbeads
that
are
pollu;ng
environments.
Plas;c
microbeads
can
enter
the
bloodstream
through
the
gut,
and
then
they
can
circulate
in
the
bloodstream,
they
can
directly
enter
cells
and
and
;ssues
of
these
animals.

19. Algae
Bioplas(cs
-­‐ Compostable,
renewable
resources
-­‐ Higher
produc;vity
than
starch
in
the
same
scale
of
land
-­‐ High
energy
efficiency
in
produc;on
-­‐ Do
not
impact
on
the
available
farmable
land
Algae
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
To
resolve
these
three
issues
of
starch-­‐based
bioplas;cs,
algae
is
a
emerging
resource
for
bioplas;cs.

20. Algae
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
Manufacturer
:
Algix
>

21. ALGIX
use
algae
to
clean
wastewater
by
absorbing
excess
nutrients
while
also
providing
algae
biomass
as
a
co-­‐product.
Algae
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
Applica;on
/
Water
Cleaning
Service
>

22. Algae
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
3D
Prin;ng
Availability
>
ALGIX
also
manufactures
3D-­‐Fuel,
resin
for
3D
printers.

23. Bioplas;c
>
Advantages
Disadvantages
Other
Issues
of
Bioplas(cs
on
Sor(ng
Stage
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs

24. “Most
recycling
centers
are
not
set
up
to
handle
large
amounts
of
PLA.
Presently,
PLA
products
cannot
be
recycled
in
conjunc;on
with
petroleum-­‐based
products.”
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Bioplas;c
>
1.
Lack
of
Facili(es
Lack
of
Facili;es
>

25. Bioplas;c
>
2.
Limit
of
Plas(c
Recycling
symbols
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Limit
of
Plas;c
Recycling
symbols
>
Bioplas;cs
are
classified
in
No.7
plas;cs
which
is
for
the
plas;cs
that
are
the
most
difficult
to
be
recycled.
This
resin
coding
system
was
developed
in
1988.

26. -­‐
“Interna;onal
Paper”
-­‐
“Cau;on
contents
Hot”
Bioplas;c
>
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Miscommunica;ons
>
3.
Miscommunica(ons
Between
Products
and
Bins
Informa;on
on
a
coffee
lid
-­‐
Manufacturer
-­‐
Recycling
symbol
1)
product
side
Then,
where
should
it
go?
Landfill
or
recycling
center?
-­‐>
This
lid
is
compostable!
Why
it
didn’t
men;on
its
compostability?

27. Bioplas;c
>
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Miscommunica;ons
>
3.
Miscommunica(ons
Between
Products
and
Bins
2)
Bin
side
Is
it
easy
for
you
to
classify
your
waste?

28. The
New
School
Food
Waste
Collec(on
Loca(ons
-­‐ 13th
Street
Residence
Cafeteria
-­‐ Eugene
Lang,
65
West
11th
Street,
Lang
Café
-­‐ Parsons
East,
25
East
13th
Street,
floors
2-­‐5
-­‐ Arnhold
Hall,
55
West
13th
Street,
Café
55
and
Library
Café
-­‐
The
University
Center
Cafeteria
and
Cafes
Bioplas;c
>
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Miscommunica;ons
>
2)
Bin
side
Is
it
easy
for
you
to
find
compost
bins
near
you?
3.
Miscommunica(ons
Between
Products
and
Bins

29. Bioplas;c
>
Other
Issues
on
Bioplas;cs
Miscommunica;ons
>
3.
Miscommunica(ons
Between
Products
and
Bins
2)
Bin
side
Is
it
easy
for
you
to
classify
your
waste
on
the
streets?

30. Recyclables
Biodegradables
Compostables
“Recyclable”
“Biodegradable”
“Compostable”
Proposal
>
New
recycling
sign
system
Proposal
:
New
Recycling
Sign
System
-­‐ To
reduce
manual
waste
classifica;on
work
-­‐ To
inform
products’
capacity
and
lifecycle
to
consumers
-­‐ To
encourage
manufacturers
to
use
compostable
materials
-­‐ examples
:

31. Thank
you

32. “Bioplas;c,”
accessed
April
21,
2015,
hMp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplas;c#Starch-­‐based_plas;cs
Figure
1.
“What
are
bioplas;cs?”
accessed
April
20,
2015,
hMp://en.european-­‐bioplas;cs.org/wp-­‐content/uploads/2011/04/fs/
Bioplas;cs_eng.pdf.
Figure
2.
“What
is
the
difference
between
Compostable
and
Biodegradable
bags?”
accessed
April
21,
2015,
hMp://jeffries.com.au/
compostable-­‐vs-­‐biodegradable.html
“Bioplas;cs
-­‐
natural
plas;c
-­‐
sustainable
plas;cs
-­‐
plas;c
bags
-­‐
biodegradable
plas;cs,”
accessed
April
22,
2015,
hMp://www.seao2.com/
bioplas;cs/
“Solanyl®
BP”
accessed
April
20,
2015,
hMp://library.materialconnexion.com.libproxy.newschool.edu/ProductPage.aspx?
MC=641901#.VVeLATwz3MA.gmail
“What
are
Solanyl®
Biopolymers?”,
accessed
April
21,
2015,
hMp://www.solanyl.ca/
“Starch
based
plas;c
vessels
trade
union
by
earnest
studio,”
Accessed
April
22,
2015,
hMp://www.designboom.com/design/starch-­‐based-­‐
plas;c-­‐vessels-­‐trade-­‐union-­‐by-­‐earnest-­‐studio/
“3D
prin;ng
with
Solanyl
filament
made
from
potato
skin,”
accessed
April
12,
2015,
hMp://www.3ders.org/ar;cles/20140806-­‐3d-­‐prin;ng-­‐
with-­‐solanyl-­‐filament-­‐made-­‐from-­‐potato-­‐skin.html
“Recycling
Terms,”
accessed
April
20,
2015,
hMp://www.recommunity.com/educa;on/
“The
New
Bioplas;cs,
More
Than
Just
Forks,”
accessed
April
19,
2015,
hMp://www.ny;mes.com/2007/03/07/business/
businessspecial2/07plas;c.html?_r=0
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and
biodegradable
plas;cs,”
accessed
April
19,
2015,
hMp://www.explainthatstuff.com/bioplas;cs.html
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Bioplas;cs
pose
no
threat
to
food
supply,”
accessed
April
20,
2015,
hMp://www.plas;csnews.com/ar;cle/20130409/NEWS/
130409913/report-­‐bioplas;cs-­‐pose-­‐no-­‐threat-­‐to-­‐food-­‐supply
Bibliography

33. Brian
Momani,
Assessment
of
the
Impacts
of
Bioplas2cs:
Energy
Usage,
Fossil
Fuel
Usage,
Pollu2on,
Health
Effects,
Effects
on
the
Food
Supply,
and
Economic
Effects
Compared
to
Petroleum
Based
Plas2cs,
accessed
April
20,
2015,
hMps://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-­‐project/
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biofuels,”
accessed
April
22,
2015,
hMp://algix.com/why-­‐algae/bioproducts-­‐not-­‐biofuels/
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Overview,”
accessed
April
22,
2015,
hMps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-­‐IEthAtMVwA&feature=youtu.be&t=1m3s
“ALGIX
-­‐
3D
Fuel,”
accessed
April
22,
2015,
hMps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC7QLoO59S4
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Waste
and
Improving
Resource
Efficiency,”
accessed
April
21,
2015,
hMp://www.newschool.edu/sustainability/managing-­‐
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19,
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Bibliography