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© Business WireSuntory introduces 100% plant-based PET bottle prototype
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Forget bottles, make straws.
dagon
The fully recyclable prototype plant-based bottle is estimated to significantly lower carbon emissions compared to petroleum derived virgin bottle.
Have been hearing about these plant based bottles, specifically in a Japanese context, for at least ten years.
Greenwashing, and once the subsidies are secured the cheapest legacy option will be chosen.
Mickelicious
I see a throng of salarymen proudly polishing their SDG pins.
Don't ask the inconvenient "where's the biomass from, then?"
Richard Gallagher
The USFS, replaced plastic survey ribbon with a product made of soybeans, over 20 years ago. The reason being deer ate the ribbon and are unable to digest it, let alone toxicity.
We used oodles of the stuff when I worked in wildland fire.
About eight percent of the world’s oil is used to make plastic.
Proponents of bioplastic often tout a reduction in this use as a major benefit. This argument rests on the idea that if a plastic item does release carbon once it’s discarded, as it degrades, bioplastics will add less carbon to the atmosphere because they’re simply returning the carbon the plants sucked up while growing (instead of releasing carbon that had previously been trapped underground in the form of oil).
Whether bio-based plastics are ultimately better for the environment than oil-derived ones is a big question based on many 'ifs. In other words, there’s no clear answer at present.
Studies of environmental issues associated with growing plants for bioplastic reveal negative aspects. Among them: pollution from fertilizers and land diverted from food production.
Additionally, using a substance like corn for plastic instead of food is at the center of a debate over how resources should be allocated in an increasingly food-scarce world.
Bio-based plastics have benefits, but only when taking a host of factors into consideration. Without adequate composting infrastructure and consumer know-how, bioplastic products can end up an example of greenwashing, a phrase coined by environmentalists to indicate when consumers are misled about how sustainable a product truly is.
1glenn
I remember a time when glass bottles were ubiquitous.
Desert Tortoise
Archer Daniels Midland came up with a corn based plastic ages ago and it has been used in plastic beverage cups that are jokingly called "corntainers".
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@1glenn
The trouble with glass bottles is that the extra weight requires a lot of diesel to transport.
wtfjapan
or you can just use steel aluminium, which are easily recycled, make every can/bottle a 5yen refund for returning to recycle center. belive me youll never see a can or bottle every again on the street. my home country has been doing this for over 40yrs. never see a can or bottle ever discarded ever
Mickelicious
What are the benefits of the production and sale of carbonated syrup, anyway?
Danielsan
Petroleum comes from decayed organic matter, so their statement that they will use plant based material could mean business as usual.