DISADVANTAGES OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

1.        Most of the biodegradable polymers are not commercially viable due to their higher cost.

2.        Major applications of biodegradable polymers are in medical field.

3.        Biodegradable polymers are too unstable for long term industrial use.

4.        There is a public opposition against genetically modified foods.

5.       Manufacture of biodegradable polymers consumes more energy than the conventional polymers.

6.        Mode of the degradation is mainly by hydrolysis which in turn pollutes the water.

7.     Migration of plastic degradation by-products such as residual pigments, catalyst residues and isocyanate via run-off and leachate from landfills and composting facilities to groundwater and surface water bodies is resulted.

8.   Trauma and death of marine species resulting from only partial or slow degradation of biodegradable plastic products in marine environments is caused.

9.        They increase the littering as the people believe that biodegradable plastics will disappear quickly.

10.      It increase the soil and crop degradation resulting from the use of compost that may have unacceptably high organic and or metal contaminants derived from biodegradable plastic residuals, additives and modifiers such as coupling agents, plasticizers, fillers, catalysts, dyes and pigments.

11.      They do not disappear completely and leave visible trace and toxic residues.

12.       They do not possess the strength and storage comparable to that of the conventional polymers.