Earth Day: Biotech vs. Plastic

Today is Earth Day, highlighting the importance of addressing plastic pollution—and biotech has a few answers. Continuing on the environment theme, BIO’s Beth Ellikidis spoke to Agri-Pulse about how we can advance biotech innovation. (546 words, 2 minutes, 43 seconds)

Earth Day highlights need to advance biotech plastic innovations

Today is Earth Day, and the focus is the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and health—a problem biotech is helping to solve.

The challenge: We need to reduce plastic use and waste, but there will always be a need for some plastic materials. Sourcing from feedstocks other than non-renewable or fossil-based feedstocks would go a long way toward making plastics more sustainable.

Biotech is coming to the rescue—developing alternatives to traditional, fossil-based plastics.

Released especially for today, Lululemon’s “Packable Anorak Earth Day” is made of a novel polyester fabric produced by BIO member LanzaTech with carbon emissions from a steel mill.

From farm to bottle: Another BIO member, Virent, is converting corn, sugar beets, and sugar cane into a lower-carbon bioplastic, which has been used to make Coca-Cola bottles, explained a recent episode of the I am BIO Podcast.

Why it matters: A recent report found only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, highlighting the need for solutions like renewable and biodegradable plastic alternatives.

The big picture: Biotech supports the earth in many ways, such as by helping preserve air, soil, and water, and by battling climate change.

How can we unleash biotech innovation?

Better regulation and acceptance will allow biotechnology to improve our lives, and the National Bioeconomy Board can help, says Beth Ellikidis, BIO VP for Agriculture and the Environment, on a new episode of the Agri-Pulse Open Mic podcast.

“Biotechnology really can solve society’s challenges,” says Ellikidis. “Biotechnology is unleashing innovation in agriculture, climate change, and health in ways that we would never dream of, and we are evolving so quickly that we are able to meet the world’s needs.”

Here’s how: Agricultural biotech can reduce waste by producing food that keeps better and helps feed lower-income countries with heartier crops. It also addresses climate change and reduces the need for inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.

Acceptance is key: While people are fine with biotech in medicine, poor public information makes consumers cautious about biotech in food. The situation is improving, with a poll showing 62% of voters hold a favorable view of agricultural biotech.

“It is very difficult for these regulators to keep up with the science,” noted Ellikidis. Science is always going to outpace.” But regulators know this and are trying to “put in a structure that enables them to grow faster.”

The National Bioeconomy Board, launched by the Biden Administration in March, involves a government-wide approach, recognizing that biotech touches so much of our economy and government.

Why it matters: “The advantage of this board is that they’re trying to cement some of these goals into a government-wide initiative, increase sustainability, and build the economy by supporting these initiatives,” which are “all positive from a BIO standpoint,” she concludes.

Listen to the podcast at Agri-Pulse. 

ICYMI: Last week, BIO brought together regulators and bipartisan policymakers for the inaugural BIO Agriculture & Environment Summit in Washington, D.C. – click here to read a recap of what they said.

President Biden’s Monday: Travelling to Triangle, VA, for an Earth Day address, where he’ll announce $7 billion in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants for solar energy projects and the creation of an American Climate Corps to train young people, the White House announced.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The Senate is expected to take up a measure providing aid for Ukraine and Israel.