Plastics Derived from Biological Sources: Present and Future: A Technical and Environmental Review

In the time period 2010 2015, the worldwide annual production
\nof plastics is very likely to surpass 300 million tons,1,2 requiring
\nmultiple amounts of petroleum and leading to hundreds
\nof millions of tons ofCO2 in addition to health risks for the public
\ndue to the release of other types of emissions.1,3 A large amount
\nof plastics (at least 40% of the total consumption) is used in
\nshort-term applications, and the resulting waste can quickly
\nlead to additional environmental damage unless adequate
\nwaste management systems are in place. For example, conventional
\npetrochemical plastics are harmful for terrestrial and
\nsea animals as well as birds that tend…