Sustainability and Innovation: a Study on Green Plastic

Abstract

The possible replacement of plastic from non-renewable fossil fuel by green plastic derived from the renewable source sugarcane ethanol is investigated. Current exploratory and quality research is based on technical articles, information at the Braskem site and interviews with entrepreneurs involved in the issue. Replacement seems to materialize even though it has been pointed out that green plastic is not bio-degradable and the issue should be tackled. Most responses state that the recycling of green plastic and all other types of plastic should be better exploited, which boils down to investments in education and in public policies. Firms perceive that green plastic is a marketing differential and a form of collaboration with the environment. In fact, it is totally produced from renewable sources. Research shows that an improvement in the efficiency of plantations and recycling policies are essential for the success of the process since several sectors of the economy demand the process which is already being used in a large-scale manner. According to most respondents, sugarcane-derived green plastic reached a high renewable capacity to attenuate petroleum extraction.