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According to the study "Breaking the Plastic Wave,” by 2040, the complete plastics supply chain could use current technologies and solutions to reduce annual plastic leakage into the ocean by about 80%. 

The financial risk of US$100 billion annually that businesses face if governments demand them to cover waste management costs at anticipated volumes and recyclability is especially stark in the context of the high cost of inaction to businesses, communities, and ecosystems.

To stop the pollution of the oceans by plastic, there is no one answer. Together, the deployment of upstream and downstream options is recommended.

1. Prioritize upstream solutions that seek to lessen or replace plastic use, but scale them carefully to prevent unfavorable social or environmental effects. 

For instance, the New Plastics Economy initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has already brought together more than 400 groups in support of a circular economy.

2. Recycling cuts leaks by 38% by 2040. Similarly to that, a reduction plan lowers leakage by 52% by 2040.

There are many different kinds of biodegradable plastics made commercially, and they primarily fall into three categories, according to a recent Greenpeace study. The first uses starch to fuel the microbes during a fermentation process to create polylactic acid (PLA), which is the basis for the product. PLA is a relatively affordable product due to the simple nature of the manufacturing process and the low cost of the feedstock.

The market for PLA is expected to expand at an estimated average annual growth rate of about 17.1% for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly rising demand for the material. This PLA is made all over the world and is presently employed in 3D printing, textiles, disposable tableware, and food packaging.

There are several privately owned businesses that produce PLA. The top manufacturer of goods made with PLA in Europe is the Italian business Novamont. Cargill and PTT Global Chemical, a major producer of chemicals in Thailand, collaborated in the US to found NatureWorks, which yearly produces about 150,000 tonnes of lactic acid-based polymer.

The aforementioned businesses are difficult for US citizens to engage in, but two European businesses are. Corbion (OTCPK: CSNVY), a leader in the development of biodegradable plastics, has partnered with French oil behemoth TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE) in a 50/50 venture. The pair initially agreed to build a facility to produce polylactic polymers using PLA at Corbion's current location in Thailand.

The second category of degradable plastics includes polybutylene-based polymers such as polybutylene succinate and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), which are primarily based on natural fuels. The manufacturing of these polymers is led by the German chemical juggernaut BASF (OTCQX: BASFY), which has been making its PBAT polymer Ecoflex since 1998.

Various polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA] compositions are yet another significant class of biodegradable polymers. The expensive production costs of these polymers are the main deterrent to their increased use. Due to the low demand for the substance and associated high expense, Danimer Scientific, Inc. (DNMR) Is now the only reliable Western manufacturer.

Danimer already has a distinguished list of potential customers because of its connections to household names like PepsiCo (PEP), Mars Wrigley, Bacardi, Nestlé, WinCup, Eagle Beverages, Columbia Packaging Group, and UrthPact. Once significant capacity is created with the help of Chevron. A number of these brands are presently collaborating with Danimer to create compostable and biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastic.

According to recent data, 2.11 million tonnes of biodegradable plastic are produced globally each year, compared to 380 million tonnes of non-degradable plastic. So, to put it mildly, there is a fantastic chance for investors in the bioplastics sector.

Bioplastic materials are created from plastic materials and can be used to create a wide range of products. 

Polylactic acid is the bioplastic substance that is currently used the most frequently. Scientific research has been used to create bioplastic material, which is now extensively used in a variety of applications, including packaging and protective packaging for food and medicines. 

It offers an eco-friendly choice for handling waste because it can be recycled into a variety of various products. Many businesses and stores allow customers to recycle their used cardboard and paper in a collection bin that can later be used to make new biodegradable bags or bioplastic products. 

Local governments and citizens can both pick up biodegradable containers. Since the waste is then recycled, this process is frequently quicker and simpler than conventional recycling.

When operators do their jobs correctly, the trash-hauling business can be shockingly lucrative. 

Leading companies in the solid waste handling industry are Waste Management (WM) and Republic Services (RSG). Out of the 2,627 dumps in the US, they collectively own about 480.

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