Animal Wastes as Thermoplastic Composite Reinforcement Materials for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Nowadays solid wastes are becoming serious environmental challenges in Africa and most especially in Nigeria. Many strategies that are employed by local, state and federal government to curb the situation are always sabotaged due to poor altitude to waste management and corruption. Among these solid wastes are animal waste viz: chicken feather, animal horn, hoof, bone and hair (wool), human hair, silk and so on. These wastes contain keratin and collagen which make them viable for reinforcement materials in developing thermoplastic composite apart from their lighter weight, availability and bio-degradability. This paper presents review on utilization of animal waste as workable alternative fibre to synthetic fibres which are not recyclable and biodegradable. Furthermore, it provides some important data that can facilitate the usage of these animal fibres in order to achieve both economic and social sustainable development.