Plant-based plastics not necessarily greener than oil-based relatives
Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 12:50
in Physics & Chemistry
An analysis of plant and petroleum-derived plastics by University of Pittsburgh researchers suggests that biopolymers are not necessarily better for the environment than their petroleum-based relatives, according to a report in Environmental Science & Technology. The Pitt team found that while biopolymers are the more eco-friendly material, traditional plastics can be less environmentally taxing to produce.