If Coca-Cola were to produce biodegradable packaging for their plastic bottles and if it’s true that biodegradable plastic decomposes in 3 to 6 months, how would Coca-Cola make they products last on store shelves and warehouses?

Question

Surely there’s something I’m not understanding in the concept of biodegradation.

In: Biology

Answer 1

So it depends on which biodegradable plastic they are using. First is regular plastic particles held together with a biodegradable “glue” so all that you get is a lot of micro plastic fragments.

Second is corn based style plastics, the problem is they need exposure to sun, oxygen, soil bacteria and moisture to break down. In a landfill, none of those conditions occur, so it’s essentially the same as regular oil based plastic.

Third is there maybe issues with the pH of the soda and the bottles, if it begins to breakdown before a customer drinks it, is it safe enough or will it alter the taste?