The key to the biodegradable material of paper bag packaging's ability to naturally degrade after use lies in its raw materials, which are derived from natural plant fibers and possess excellent biocompatibility. Unlike synthetic materials like plastic, biodegradable paper bags are primarily composed of cellulose from plants like wood and reeds. These natural polymers harbor naturally occurring microorganisms that decompose them, providing the necessary conditions for the subsequent degradation process. This natural, natural quality allows the paper bags to return to the natural cycle after their useful life, avoiding the long-term accumulation of synthetic materials in the environment.
In the environment, biodegradable materials are gradually broken down by enzymes secreted by microorganisms, a key process in their natural degradation. When paper bags are discarded in the natural environment, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the soil or water recognize these natural fibers and secrete specific biocatalysts, such as cellulases. These enzymes break down the chemical bonds between cellulose molecules, breaking down the complex, long-chain molecules into simpler molecules like glucose. This decomposition process is gentle and efficient, requiring no extreme conditions like high temperature or pressure; it can be completed entirely under natural conditions, ensuring the sustainability of the degradation process.
The products produced during the degradation process are harmless to the environment, further reducing the environmental burden. The small molecules produced by the microbial decomposition of biodegradable paper bags, such as carbon dioxide, water, and organic acids, are common substances in nature and can be reused by natural processes such as plant photosynthesis, entering the ecological cycle. In contrast, the degradation of traditional plastics can produce toxic and harmful substances, polluting soil and water bodies. The degradation products of biodegradable paper bags are not only non-toxic and harmless, but also provide indirect nutrients for plant growth in the environment, achieving a virtuous cycle of substances.
The degradation rate of biodegradable materials adapts to environmental conditions, avoiding the problems caused by premature or delayed degradation. In a normal natural environment, biodegradable paper bags will complete their degradation process within a few months to a year. This timeframe ensures sufficient strength and durability during use, meeting the requirements of paper bag packaging, while also allowing for rapid decomposition after disposal, preventing them from lingering in the environment. Even under varying environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, the degradation rate can be adjusted accordingly, ensuring complete degradation within a reasonable timeframe and reducing long-term environmental impact.
The production process of biodegradable materials itself has a minimal impact on the environment, reducing environmental burden at the source. The plant fiber raw materials used in the production of degradable paper bags are renewable resources. Through proper forestry management, a sustainable supply is ensured, avoiding the depletion of non-renewable resources like petroleum. Furthermore, the processing of these raw materials uses less energy and chemicals, and produces significantly lower emissions and wastewater than the production of plastic paper bags and packaging. This environmentally friendly approach, from raw material acquisition to production and processing, ensures that degradable paper bags maintain a low environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle.
The degradation process of degradable paper bags does not produce difficult-to-treat pollutants such as microplastics. Traditional plastics gradually break down into tiny plastic particles, also known as microplastics, in the natural environment. These microplastics are difficult to degrade naturally and can persist in soil, water, and even organisms, causing persistent pollution. Degradable paper bags, on the other hand, completely break down into small molecules during the degradation process, eliminating the formation of microplastics. This fundamentally avoids this new type of pollution, protects the integrity of the ecosystem, and reduces potential threats to plant, animal, and human health.
The widespread use of degradable materials will help promote the development of a circular economy and alleviate overall environmental pressures. When biodegradable paper bags become the mainstream paper bag packaging choice, discarded paper bag packaging materials will naturally return to the ecosystem, achieving a "take from nature, return to nature" recycling model. This model reduces reliance on landfills and incineration, and reduces energy consumption and pollutant emissions during waste disposal. Furthermore, the demand for renewable plant-based raw materials will promote the development of green agriculture and forestry, forming an industrial ecosystem that is conducive to environmental protection and reducing environmental burdens in the long term.
