compare the biogradable nature of 3 different compostable bags when placed soil mixture, kept moist and compare to a plastic bag
There are several types of compostable bags available in the market, but three significant types are made from cornstarch, potato starch, and vegetable oil. These bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags and can be efficiently used for disposing of organic waste. The biodegradable nature of these compostable bags can be compared to a plastic bag when placed in soil mixture and kept moist.
Cornstarch bags: Cornstarch bags are made from a combination of corn, potato, and sugar beet starch. They are the most common type of compostable bags. When these bags are placed in a soil mixture and kept moist, they typically break down and decompose between 45 to 60 days. They are also known to produce carbon dioxide and water as the end result of composting.
Potato starch bags: Another common type of compostable bags is made from potato starch. These bags are made from potato starch combined with cornstarch and a compostable polymer. When placed in a soil mixture and kept moist, potato starch bags break down and decompose between 75 to 100 days. Similar to cornstarch bags, they produce carbon dioxide and water as the final product of composting.
Vegetable oil bags: A third type of compostable bags is made from vegetable oil, typically corn or soybean. These bags are made from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biopolymer. When placed in a soil mixture and kept moist, vegetable oil bags typically break down and decompose between 180 to 365 days. They produce carbon dioxide and water, and bacteria consume the PHA material to produce methane as a side effect.
Plastic bags: Plastic bags, on the other hand, are not biodegradable and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. When placed in a soil mixture, plastic bags do not break down and decompose even after years. They remain a significant environmental hazard, affecting soil and marine life as they break down into microplastics.
In conclusion, compostable bags made from cornstarch, potato starch, and vegetable oil are more biodegradable than plastic bags when placed in soil mixture and kept moist. Among them, cornstarch bags take the shortest time to break down, followed by potato starch bags and vegetable oil bags. It is important to dispose of compostable bags properly to avoid their negative impact on the environment.