What are the degradable plastic bags

 Abstract: Plastic bags made of degradable plastics that can be decomposed naturally in the natural environment are degradable plastic bags. A certain amount of additives is added to the degradable plastic during the production process to reduce its stability and make it decompose by itself in the natural environment. It is an environmentally friendly plastic bag. Degradable plastic bags mainly include four types: photodegradation, life explanation, water degradation, and photo/biodegradation combination. Biodegradable plastic bags generally have a sign of biodegradable garbage, and have a short shelf life, even if they are not used, they will naturally degrade. Let's learn about the knowledge of degradable plastic bags!

 

What is a degradable plastic bag

 

Plastic degradation means that the high molecular weight polymer reaches the end of its life cycle and its molecular weight decreases. It is manifested as plastic brittle, cracked, softened, hardened, and lost mechanical strength. The degradation of ordinary plastic bags requires decades or even hundreds of years. Over time, landfill or incineration of non-degradable plastic bags will pollute the environment. In order to protect the environment, there is the invention of degradable plastic bags.

 

Degradable plastic bags are those that add a certain amount of additives (such as starch, modified starch or other cellulose, photosensitizers, biodegradants, etc.) during the production process to reduce their stability and are easier to degrade in the natural environment. Plastic bags.

 

What are the types of degradable plastic bags

 

1. Light-degradable plastic bags

 

The photosensitizer is mixed into the plastic to gradually decompose the plastic under sunlight. It belongs to an earlier generation of degradable plastics. Its disadvantage is that the degradation time is difficult to predict due to sunlight and climate changes, so the degradation time cannot be controlled.

 

2. Biodegradable plastic bags

 

Under the action of microorganisms, plastic can be completely decomposed into low molecular compounds. It is characterized by convenient storage and transportation, as long as it is kept dry, does not need to be protected from light, and has a wide range of applications. It can not only be used for agricultural mulch film and packaging bags, but also widely used in the field of medicine. With the development of modern biotechnology, more and more attention has been paid to biodegradable plastics and has become a new generation of research and development hotspots.

 

3. Light/biodegradable plastic bag

 

A type of plastic that combines photodegradation and microorganisms. It has the characteristics of photodegradation and microorganism degradation.

 

4. Water-degradable plastic bags

 

Water-absorbent substances are added to plastics, which can be dissolved after being used up and discarded in water. They are mainly used for medical and sanitary appliances (such as medical gloves) for easy destruction and disinfection.

 

How to identify degradable plastic bags

 

1. Signs of degradable garbage

 

The biodegradable plastic bag has a unified Chinese environmental label, which is a green label composed of Qingshan, green water, sun and ten rings. If it is a plastic bag for food, it must also be printed with the food safety permit qs mark and marked "Food ".

 

2. Storage time

 

Degradable plastic bags have a shelf life of only about three months. Even if they are not used, they will naturally degrade within five months. In the sixth month, plastic bags will be covered with "snowflakes" and cannot be used. Under composting conditions, even the newly produced degradable plastic bags can be completely degraded in only three months.