Compostable Plastic Is Garbage
AtlanticJul 06, 2023
The Facts
Findings presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society show that the carcasses of black soldier flies could be harvested to produce biodegradable plastic in an attempt to produce bioplastics from organic waste products to stem plastic pollution.
Head researcher Dr. Karen Wooley of Texas A&M University collaborated with Dr. Jeffrey Tomberlin, a leader in black soldier fly farming. While the nutrient-rich larvae are invaluable for animal feed, the researchers attempted to find a use for the adult flies, which are typically discarded.
The Spin
Narrative A
While this is no doubt a promising development, there is currently a lack of infrastructure to properly handle biodegradable plastics. Most bioplastics wind up in a dump, and many can only degrade in a controlled composting setting, meaning these efforts could be all for naught if the right conditions aren't in place. For now, we should focus less on single-use plastics and more on changing our single-use mindset.
Narrative B
This discovery is another leap forward in our fight against plastic pollution on many fronts. The plastics industry now has the potential to use an agricultural waste product to create a circular, self-sustaining supply chain for a product that is safe for the earth and bypasses the petrochemical industry. New advances are being made at record speed, as we inch closer towards finding a truly clean plastic.