Chapter 9 - Environmental hazards and biodegradation of plastic waste: challenges and future prospects

Abstract

Plastics are high-molecular-weight organic polymers acquired largely from different hydrocarbons and petroleum by-products. Globally, the production and consumption of plastics has increased over the years, because of their numerous applications in households and industries. However, a large number of these plastics are nonbiodegradable with only a few of them being biodegradable but at a very slow rate. Due to their substantial use, poor waste management, insufficiency in recycling, and improper disposal, plastics cause a serious threat to the environment and human health. This has led researchers to come up with novel and advanced techniques to manage plastic wastes and utilize biodegradable plastics in packaging. The present chapter highlights the different types of plastics, environmental pollution and health hazards from plastic waste, and the mechanisms involved in plastic degradation, with a special emphasis on biodegradation and its different types of mechanisms. The chapter also highlights the challenges and future prospects in plastic degradation.