An analysis of societal issues involving bioplastics has been carried out. Health, economic, and environmental concerns related to a switch to bioplastics were studied. The possible impacts on energy usage, petroleum usage, and food production including land usage were observed. Bioplastics were found to be superior to petroplastics in terms of energy efficiency, petroleum consumption, and carbon emissions, but inferior to petroplastics in cost and applicability. Negative effects on the food supply were also predicted with a switch to bioplastics. Pollution and safety varied on a plastic-to-plastic basis but in general bioplastics were found to be safer. It has been concluded that bioplastics are not viable for wide scale use in their current form.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Momani, Brian Laith

Subject

• Energy
• Environment
• Food
• Sustainability

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031609-205515

Keyword

• Food security
• Plastics

Advisor

• Gobert, Janice
• Thompson, Robert W.

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-03-16

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright