Environmentally-Friendly Utensils Are As Harmful As Plastic Ones, Finds Study

It is no secret that plastic is destroying our planet. We’ve seen countless instances where plastic has caused irreversible damage to marine life.?

In order to prevent this damage people are being asked to avoid plastic or look for alternatives that are easily biodegradable. One of these options is disposable bioplastic.?

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However, now researchers at the Tel Aviv University?have revealed that these so-called disposable bioplastic utensils could be doing more harm than good.

Guillermo Anderson, one of the authors of the study explains, "In recent decades, substances called 'bioplastics' came on the market. Bioplastics are made of natural, renewable materials, and biodegrade relatively fast under certain conditions. Disposable dishes and utensils made of bioplastics were granted various international standard seals and are marketed to consumers as environmentally friendly. We wanted to test the supposedly environmentally friendly disposable dishes to see if they do, in fact, meet expectations."

Researchers compared two disposable cups -- one made of regular plastic and one made of ‘environment-friendly’ bioplastic. They tested their effects on ascidians -- a species of marine invertebrate. They were looking at the extent to which these invertebrates were able to digest the particles of both the cups.

Researchers found that in short term they both had a similar effect. Professor Noa Shenkar, another author of the study explains, "Bioplastics are made of natural materials and, in that sense, they are more beneficial environmentally speaking. But they may also contain toxins just like regular plastic dishes and they do not biodegrade quickly in the aquatic habitat.”

She added, “In fact, the standard appearing on the label is dated. It doesn't refer at all to different kinds of plastic additives and speaks of biodegrading within 180 days, but that is specifically under conditions available only in industrial composting settings."

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She concluded stating, "People buy expensive disposable dishes and utensils with the special bioplastic standard seal of compliance on the assumption that they are being environmentally responsible. Our study proves that while this may be good for their conscience, it can still damage the environment."

So in case you’re looking for better solutions, stick to paper-based based disposable utensils instead of bioplastics.?