Disposal infrastructure, biodegradable

A major difference in the waste management of water-soluble polymers and plastics using biodegradable substitutes is that there is a well-established widely available disposal infrastructure of wastewater treatment plants for the former, whereas plastics being developed for composting will require the large-scale implementation of a composting infrastructure and this will slow their acceptance. 

Hence, given the need for biodegradable water-soluble polymers to protect the environment and the ready availability of a disposal infrastructure in almost every country in the world, the opportunity is obvious and waiting a solution. 

The availability of truly biodegradable materials able to degrade in time-frames compatible with specific disposal infrastructures, and to work in in-use conditions. 

Figure 4. Integration of biodegradable plastics with disposal infrastructures.

Liquid waste system disposal is quite attractive compared to solid waste disposal, where infrastructure is not well developed for the latter. Also, in many instances, landfill and solid waste disposal techniques have some other enviromnental related problems. Considering this, the wastewater system is more convenient, hygienic and environmentally sound already there is a massive infrastructure in place as wastes from houses go to industrial biodegraders in the form of sewage farms, or local biodegraders or septic tanks. In such situations, many disposable products can be flushed in the system rather than thrown away as solid waste [51]. 

---