BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING : A KEY TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Pollution is a global crisis that has been seen in current times from past few decades. Many kinds of pollution crisis are arising day by day, such as soil, air, water, noise and radioactive pollution. Soil, air and water pollution mainly cause by plastic. Plastic takes approximately 20 to 500 years to decompose. Several types of plastics take different time to decompose. Micro plastic is tiny particles of plastic which is broken down in small pieces or they are conventionally made like that. It is found in ocean which affects marine animals and plants and in food packaging which is toxic, harmful and hazardous to human beings. We have seen throughout the years that plastic bags, food container, fast food packages and plastic wrappers are just roaming around roads, grounds, land fields, lakes, ponds, rivers and oceans as well. We should opt for alternatives of conventional plastic packages, such as packaging made from plant-based materials, which can also decompose easily in the soil, that shows biodegradable properties. Many plants and materials used for plastic alternatives are discussed in this paper. Different materials and methodology required for making plant-based packaging are listed in the paper as well. Bio-degradable packaging is not only helpful and doing good to the environment, but also for humans as well, as we consume less micro plastics, and live a healthy life.