Evaluation of Carbon Footprint of Bioplastic Straw Compared to Petroleum based Straw Products

This research aimed to compare the carbon footprint between bioplastic straws (PBS/PLA 65/35 and PBS/PLA 70/30 blends) and PP straws through the life cycle. PP straws were prepared by straw extruder and flexible straw bending machine, whereas bioplastic straws involved one additional compounding process; twin screw extrusion. Morphology of blends was investigated by SEM and demonstrated compatibility between PBS and PLA. Young's modulus and tensile stress at break of both blends were similar to PP properties, whereas % elongation at break was around 6 – 9%. The melt flow indexes were about 5 – 7 g/10 min. Carbon footprint of bioplastic straws and PP straws are carried out by life cycle assessment (LCA) typed business to consumer model (B2C). This method estimated the total emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in carbon equivalents per 1 kg weight of product through their life cycles, from raw material, transportation, manufacturing, and disposals of finished products. The results showed that the carbon footprint of bioplastic straws was higher than that of PP straws because of more wastes from manufacturing. However, if these wastes can be reduced, the carbon footprint of PBS/PLA straws would be less than carbon footprint of PP straws. The statistical analysisd was performed using electrical energy collected from straw extruder as data. The electrical energy was used in the production of bioplastic straws were less than that of PP straws.