ABSTRACT
As discussed in the previous chapter, the use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as an ingredient for human foods is one method of potentially adding value to distillers grains; use in industrial materials is another. The success of the plastics industry has signi„cantly impacted the environment; the relative inertness of disposable (e.g., one-time use) products, along with products that have exceeded their usefulness and are discarded, can lead to pollution. Solid plastic waste must be dealt with on a large scale. Some plastics are recycled, although the effort requires collection, handling, sorting, cleaning, and remanufacture preparation. There is substantial cost associated with recycling and not all plastics are recyclable. Another option is incineration, a process in which the plastic is burned as fuel to generate electricity. However, issues such as hazardous gas emissions, global warming, greenhouse gases, ash disposal, and heavy metals make incineration a dif„cult and costly option. A third option is land„ll disposal. This also has limitations as valuable area is taken and improper land„ll operation releases contaminants that may enter local groundwater and pollute the water supply. Use of biobased or “green” plastics as well as other materials that are biodegradable can minimize environmental effects.
