Bio-based Plastics Research Articles

The processability and properties of agar/gelatin film in a melt-mixing process

The rising concern in the use of non-biodegradable plastics has triggered the search for potential substitutes from renewable sources. Agar and gelatin are two potential sources of biobased plastic; however, their preparation process mostly uses solution casting, which uses toxic substances and limiting its processability in industrial machinery. In this study, agar/gelatin film was produced through a twin-roll mixer without any involvement of any toxic chemicals, creating a greener process of bioplastic. The resulting films were investigated in terms of processability, chemical structure, thermal properties, tensile properties, contact angle and biodegradation. The loading of gelatin improved the processability of the agar film blends, which is comparable with synthetic plastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). With the gelatin loading of 3 wt.%, the tensile strength increased from 20.80 MPa to 25.89 MPa. The presence of gelatin enhanced the Tdonset and Tdpeak of glycerol while lowering both values in agar. Contact angle increased from 38.17 ° to 67.77 ° with the presence of 4 wt.% gelatin. These results show that agar/gelatin has a promising future to be an environmentally friendly substitution for synthetic, non-degradable plastic and produce in a common plastic industry equipment.

Biodegradable Food Packaging Films Using a Combination of Hemicellulose and Cellulose Derivatives.

This study aims to develop biodegradable films by combining hemicellulose B (HB) with methylcellulose (MC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at two mass ratios, HB/MC 90/10 and HB/CMC 60/40. The effect of plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on these films' mechanical and physicochemical properties was also investigated. Results showed that the film thickness increased with the addition of GLY and PEG. Moisture content was lower in plasticized films, possibly contributing to better storage. Plasticizers also induced more pronounced color changes, intensifying the lightness and yellowness. Physical attributes such as peel ability, foldability, and transparency were also noticeably improved, particularly in films with higher GLY and PEG concentrations. Additionally, plasticizers enhanced the mechanical properties more significantly in the HB/CMC films, as evidenced by improved tensile stress, elongation at break, elastic modulus, and toughness. However, oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, two of the most critical factors in food packaging, were reduced in the HB/MC films with plasticizers compared to the HB/CMC counterparts. The findings of this study bear significant implications for developing sustainable packaging solutions using hemicellulose B isolated from agricultural material processing waste. These biopolymer-based films, in conjunction with biobased plasticizers, such as glycerol biopolymer, can help curtail our reliance on conventional plastics and alleviate the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Design of toughed bio-based polylactide/polyamide 11 blends with regulatable size of dispersed phase and spherulites by interfacial stereocomplex crystallites

Enhancing the ductility of polylactide (PLA) through toughening modification to expand the application range of PLA aligns with the requirements of green development. In this study, eco-friendly bio-based plastic polyamide 11 (PA11) was chosen to modify poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). PA11 and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) were grafted onto the main chain of ADR via simple reactive processing and utilized as reactive compatibilizers to improve toughening efficiency of PA11. The successful preparation of the graft copolymer was confirmed through 1H NMR, FT-IR and DSC, and a detailed investigation was conducted on how the composition and concentration of the compatibilizer influence the mechanical properties, phase morphology, crystallization, and nucleation behaviors of PLLA/PA11 blends. Elongation at break of the 5 % PDLA/PA11 graft copolymers toughed PLLA was as high as 222 % at 30 % PA11 content, which was 17 times greater than the PLLA toughened by pristine PA11 without compromising the strength. PLLA and PA11 were immiscible binary blends with PA11 droplet/PLLA matrix phase separated morphologies in the molten state. Based on the calculation of interfacial tension, the grafted copolymer would be mainly distributed at the interface between the two phases. The dispersion of PA11 droplet in PLLA matrix was improved since the interfacial interaction force was enhanced through in-situ reaction. The increase of the nucleation site and decrease of the spherulites size were worked synergistically by stereocomplex (SC) crystallites and PA11. Under the impact of reducing the size of the dispersed phase and spherulites, the toughness of blends was enhanced. This study provided valuable insights into the control of PLLA immiscible blend morphology and elucidated the relationship between the size of dispersed phase and spherulites and the ultimate mechanical performance of bio-based PLA materials.

Passerini and thiol-ene reactions: A facile, green, and efficient route to high-performance bio-based plasticizers

The increasing global demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plasticizers, particularly in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) products, has intensified the exploration of bio-based options derived from renewable resources such as plant oils. Traditional bio-based plasticizers, while promising, often suffer from limitations such as low molecular weight, high volatility, and poor compatibility with PVC, thereby restricting their practical applications. To surmount this hurdle, we introduce a novel synthetic route combining the Passerini reaction with the thiol-ene click reaction, aimed at producing high-performance plant oil-based plasticizers (POPs) with enhanced ester content and molecular weight. This method offers significant advantages over traditional methods, including low reaction temperatures (≤40 ​°C), ultrahigh yield (95 ​%) when using ethanol as the solvent, and precise control over ester content. Furthermore, the key findings demonstrate that the designed and synthesized POP (bio-content, 69 ​%) produced using this method exhibits outstanding overall performance, such as excellent migration resistance, good compatibility with PVC, and high thermal stability compared to traditional plasticizers. This facile, green, and efficient method may significantly advance the adoption of bio-based plasticizers, establishing them as a viable alternative to petroleum-based counterparts.

Alkali lignin mediated chitin self-assembly for constructing a fully naturally resourced bioplastic

Exploring green and sustainable alternative materials to address the growing environmental issue caused by petroleum-based plastics has led to increasing attention for the development of degradable bio-based plastics. The synthesis of bioplastics with high strength and toughness still faces a big challenge. Herein, we report a full noncovalent mediated self-assembly strategy for simultaneously improving the strength and toughness of chitin-based bioplastics via plane hot-pressing. The alkali lignin (AL) is introduced to enhance the strength and toughness of the chitinous bioplastics via forming multiple noncovalent interactions with chitin chains. The incorporated dense noncovalent networks and the pressure induced orientated nanofibers significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the chitinous bioplastic, achieving a tensile strength of 159.0 ± 2.1 MPa and Young’s modulus of 8.4 ± 0.2 GPa at 58 % relative humidity. The alkali lignin improved the moisture stability of the chitinous bioplastic. Moreover, the chitinous bioplastics exhibited superior welding ability, solvent resistance, good UV shileding capability and biodegradability in nature, which demonstrates the developed fabrication design of chitinous bioplastics provides a promising concept for preparing the alternative materials to replace traditional plastics.

Biobased Compostable Plastics End-of-Life: Environmental Assessment Including Carbon Footprint and Microplastic Impacts.

In this paper, we examine how traditional life-cycle assessment (LCA) for bio-based and compostable plastics overlooks issues surrounding carbon sequestration and microplastic persistence. To outline biased comparisons drawn from these omitted environmental impacts, we provide, as an example, a comparative LCA for compostable biobased vs. non-compostable fossil-based materials. In doing so we (1) demonstrate the proper way to capture carbon footprints to make fair comparisons and (2) identify the overlooked issues of microplastics and the need for non-persistent alternatives. By ensuring accurate biogenic carbon capture, key contributors to CO2 evolution are properly identified, allowing well-informed changes to formulations that can reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions. In a complimentary manner, we summarize the growing research surrounding microplastic persistence and toxicity. We highlight the fundamental ability and the growing number of studies that show that industrial composting can completely mineralize certified compostable materials. This mineralization exists as a viable solution to combat microplastic persistence, currently an absent impact category in LCA. In summary, we propose a new paradigm in which the value proposition of biobased materials can be accurately captured while highlighting compostables as a solution for the increasing microplastic accumulation in the environment.

Phosphorus-nitrogen-containing flame-retardant plasticizers derived from L-lactic acid for poly (lactic acid) improved toughness, flame retardancy and crystallization

Designing highly-effective and environmentally friendly biobased flame-retardant plasticizers for polylactic acid (PLA) remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we synthesized four novel phosphorus-nitrogen-containing L-lactic acid-based flame-retardant plasticizers with adjustable chemical structures and phosphorus content, designated as NPDL-Cn, where ’n’ corresponds to the alkyl groups numbers in the alkylamine chain (with n = 4, 6, 8, and 10). Incorporating NPDL-Cn into the PLA matrix offered a twofold benefit, significantly enhancing both the flame retardancy and toughness of PLA. Remarkably, as incorporating 20 phr NPDL-Cn, the resulting blends all achieved UL-94 V-0 grade, and their limiting oxygen index reached about 30.8 %, 29.5 %, 28.3 % and 27.2 %, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of the volatile gases and char layer generated during combustion showed that the flame-retardant mechanism of NPDL-Cn in PLA significantly influenced both the condensed-phase and gas-phase behavior. Meanwhile, NPDL-Cn effectively overcame the brittleness and rigidity of PLA, thus realizing the enhancement of its toughness. In particular, as compared to a mere 3.7 % and 1.7 MJ/m3 for neat PLA, when the methylene numbers of NPDL-Cn were 4, the elongation at break and tensile toughness of the PLA/NPDL-C4 exhibited a substantial increase to 180.1 % and 43.4 MJ/m3, respectively, due to the best interfacial tension of NPDL-C4 with PLA matrix. Additionally, while the tensile strength of neat PLA is notably high at 50.7 MPa, the introduction of PLA/NPDL-C4 results in a significant decrease to 26.3 MPa. Interestingly, biodegradation experiments showed that NPDL-C4 was decomposed into non-toxic and harmless small molecules. This study presents a method for constructing toughened and flame-retardant PLA blends by modulating the alkyl chain length of flame-retardant plasticizers and elucidating their structure–property relationships.

Geo-based fabrics: using earthen materials for wearables

ABSTRACT Over 50% of synthetic textiles in existence originate from polyester derived from petroleum oil. Synthetic textiles make up over 65% of global circulating textiles and the industry is known for being highly pollutant, resource wasteful, and responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions annually. One prominent solution to the industry’s negative environmental impact is to develop alternative textiles for garment and architectural fabric applications. This paper presents a novel development of earth – and bio-based wearable textiles coined as BioMud Fabric which consists entirely of bio-based materials; 65% of which is clay-rich raw soil. More specifically, the material integrates raw soil with naturally occurring bio-based plastics to create a flexible, lightweight and biodegradable fabric. The research methodology includes a mix-design analysis, using electron microscopy, and a macro-scale structural characterisation using tearing tests. The final demonstrations showcase speculative design applications which serve to expand the possibilities of the material through fashion.

Aromatic Polymethacrylates from Lignin-Based Feedstock: Synthesis, Thermal Properties, Life-Cycle Assessment and Toxicity.

There is currently a great need for rigid, high-performance and processable bio-based polymers and plastics as alternatives to the fossil-based materials used today. Here, we report on the straightforward synthesis and polymerization of lignin-derived methacrylate monomers based on the methyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acid, respectively. The corresponding homopolymethacrylates exhibit high glass transition temperatures (Tgs) at 106, 128, and 197 °C, respectively. Rheological properties and thermal stability up to at least 277 °C indicate that these polymers are melt-processable. In addition, copolymers with methyl methacrylate are prepared to further vary and tune the polymer properties. An integrated ex-ante and prospective life-cycle assessment of key environmental impact parameters indicates similar or only slightly higher values compared to well-established fossil-based methyl methacrylate. Moreover, the toxicity towards human HeLa cell lines compares well with that of poly(methyl methacrylate). Hence, the potential availability of lignin-derived acids, combined with the straightforward and potentially upscalable monomer synthesis, make these rigid polymers appealing alternatives towards bio-based high-Tg thermoplastic materials with low toxicity.

Sustainable rubber nanocomposites for hydrogen sealings: Impact of carbon nano-onions and bio-based plasticizer

Additives play a crucial role in modifying and enhancing the properties of rubbers, improving mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance to make them more suitable for various applications. The rubber industry faces challenges related to high resource consumption and toxic emissions, which are further impacted by the use of performance-enhancing additives. In hydrogen storage systems, tailored additives are required for rubbers to withstand elevated temperatures and high pressures, preventing hydrogen-induced swelling, a major cause of sealing failure. Herein, a novel form of carbonaceous material, carbon nano-onions (CNOs), and the bio-based plasticizer additive epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) are utilized in conventional silica-filled nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) nanocomposites to develop low-carbon manufacturing high pressure hydrogen resistant O-rings for sealing applications. The results reveal that the incorporation of CNOs increases the crosslinking density (vc), assisted by ESO, in silica-filled NBR nanocomposites. While the conventional adipate-based plasticizer and ESO were found to be susceptible to high pressure hydrogen exposures, ESO demonstrated sustained compressive sealing properties with increase in von-Mises stress and in elevated thermo-oxidative conditions over time. The results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) recommend ESO for low-carbon manufacturing in rubber processing over conventional plasticizer.

Plastic Use in Agriculture: Balancing Benefits, Environmental Impacts, and Sustainable Solutions

Plastics have become an essential component of modern agriculture, significantly enhancing productivity, improving water efficiency, and protecting crops due to their versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Their widespread use in applications such as plastic mulches, greenhouse covers, irrigation systems, and packaging has revolutionized crop production by boosting yields and aiding pest control. However, the growing reliance on plastics in agriculture, commonly referred to as plasticulture, has raised significant environmental concerns. These include soil contamination, diminished soil fertility, microplastic pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, all of which pose serious long-term risks to ecosystems. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of plastic use in agriculture, detailing its various applications and the associated environmental challenges. The persistence of plastic waste in soils, waterways, and natural habitats not only leads to pollution and biodiversity loss but also presents potential threats to human health. This review emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions, including effective waste management strategies and advancements in biodegradable and bio-based plastics. It also discusses the potential of recycling technologies and the role of policy reform in minimizing the ecological footprint of agricultural plastics. In conclusion, this review advocates for a balanced approach that maximizes the agronomic benefits of plastics while minimizing their environmental impacts through innovation, research, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

Complete conversion of eucalyptus wood to dynamic covalent networks: An in-situ plasticising strategy

Ongoing innovation in bio-based plastics aims to meet more economical and diverse societal needs. However, the dependence on a single biomass source and the generally inadequate wet stability and moisture mechanical properties of traditional bio-based plastics severely limit their competitiveness. We have developed a high mechanical performance, fully bio-based, thermoset in-suit plastic from an almost worthless agricultural and forestry waste (eucalyptus) through a simple and environmentally friendly deconstruction-reconstruction strategy. In this process, the hydrogen and covalent bonds in the lignin and cellulose of eucalyptus are broken and then reorganised through dynamic covalent bonds. The resulting eucalyptus-based plastic exhibits high mechanical strength, excellent water resistance, UV ageing resistance, photothermal performance and light/heat controllable shape memory properties. By preserving the original structure of the lignin and cellulose, its natural degradability is ensured. This strategy for developing full-component plastics from solid agricultural and forestry waste offers a new approach to producing more competitive fully bio-based plastics.

Single-use commercial bio-based plastics under environmental degradation conditions: Is their biodegradability and compostability a fact?

Evaluating compostability is increasingly essential for proving commercial bio-based cutlery or packaging since these materials must biodegrade under controlled conditions quickly. Utensils for eating represent Mexico's most popular consumer single-use materials, and Mexican regulations based on biodegradation or compostability are still vague and lack scientific evaluations. This study analyzed three bio-based polymeric materials (bags, dishes, and forks) from commercial brands following Mexican regulations and using various analytical techniques to verify their biodegradability and compostability. First, weight loss measurements, stress-strain tests, and topographic imaging were applied for preliminary observations at the macro scale up to 90 days of compostability. Besides, spectroscopy, microscopy, and thermal techniques indicate changes and behavior of the bio-based materials depending on the composition. The results suggest that bags exhibited the highest decomposition rate (80 %) compared to dishes and forks. Similarly, mechanical resistance indicates a reduction of 62 % for bags, 30 % for dishes, and almost none for forks. Texture image analysis revealed that the complexity and roughness of the materials increased over time, correlating with the physical changes observed. These results indicate minimal surface topography changes and higher stiffness for dishes and forks, indicating low biodegradability. SEM images supported these findings, showing surface degradation in bags and dishes but not in forks. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the presence of polyamide (bags) and polypropylene (dishes and forks). These results reduce biodegradation and differ from the claims made by manufacturers. The thermal analysis found similar results, indicating that the materials' thermal stability decreased after degradation, which is related to lower biodegradability and compostability. Overall, the study concluded only bags meet the criteria for compostability in national regulations. However, dishes and forks made of petroleum-derived polymers have higher resistance to natural and microbial degradation.

Environmental benefits of valorising food waste into bio-based polyols for the production of polyurethane rigid foams

Under the global pursuit of sustainable development, waste streams are being recognised as renewable feedstocks to produce value-added products. Given this, food waste (FW) was explored to synthesise bio-based polyols to further develop polyurethane rigid foams (PURF). However, relevant environmental aspects are yet to be examined to support this biorefinery scheme as a green and sustainable solution. In this work, we examined the environmental performance associated with the production of PURF using polyols derived from a FW biorefinery scheme by life cycle assessment (LCA). Analysis was first conducted at the polyol level. Different allocation and offset options were examined to configure the LCA model. Based on mass allocation, compared with fossil-based production, the production of FW-derived polyols achieved reductions of 24.30 % and 34.19 % in global warming potential (GWP) and cumulative energy demand (CED), respectively. At the midpoint level, FW-derived polyols had reduced impacts on human carcinogenic toxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource scarcity but caused additional burdens on freshwater and marine ecotoxicity. Key environmental hotspots at this level included diethylene glycol, ion exchange resin (epoxidation catalyst), and hydrogen peroxide. The lipid content in FW also played a significant role. It was demonstrated that reducing the use of enzymes for FW hydrolysis to a cost-effective level remarkably mitigated the overall impacts of FW-derived polyol production. At the next level, we examined the production of FW-derived PURF using the obtained polyols. When 70 % of the polyols were replaced with bio-based products, the resultant PURF production achieved a GWP and CED of 5.67 kg CO2eq and 110.66 MJ/kg, respectively. In general, FW-derived PURF leads to environmental benefits compared to fossil-based ones. However, isocyanate used for foam formulation was the dominant contributor, causing almost two-thirds of the total impacts. The flame retardant also caused considerable impacts. Through the systematic examination of FW-derived polyols and PURF, this study demonstrated that FW-derived PURF could benefit the sustainable development of FW biorefineries and bio-based plastic industries, while the identified environmental hotspots need to be further studied and replaced with greener substitutes.

Global projections of plastic use, end-of-life fate and potential changes in consumption, reduction, recycling and replacement with bioplastics to 2050

Excessive production, indiscriminate consumption, and improper disposal of plastics have led to plastic pollution and its hazardous environmental effects. Various approaches to tackle the challenges of reducing the plastic footprint have been developed and applied, such as the production of alternative materials (design for recycling), the production and use of biodegradable plastic and plastics from power-to-X, and the development of recycling approaches. This study proposes an optimisation strategy based on regression to evaluate and predict plastic use and end-of-life fate in the future based on historical trends. The mathematical model is formulated and correlations based on functions of time are developed and optimised by minimising the sum of squared residuals. The plastic quantities up to the year 2050 are projected based on historical trends analysis, and for improved sustainability, projections are additionally based on intervention analyses. The results show that the global use of plastics is expected to increase from 464 Mt in 2020 up to 884 Mt in 2050, with up to 4725 Mt of plastics accumulated in stock in 2050 (from the year 2000). Compared to other available forecasts, a slightly lower level of plastic use and stock are obtained. The intervention analysis estimates a range of global plastics' consumption between 594 Mt and 1018 Mt in 2050 by taking into account its different increment rates (between −1 % and 2.65 %). In the packaging sector, the implementation of reduction targets (15 % reduction in 2040 compared to 2018) could lead to a 27.3 % decrease in plastic use in 2050 as compared to 2018, while achieving recycling targets (55 % in 2030) would recycle >75 % of plastic packaging in 2050. The partial substitution of fossil-based plastics with bioplastics (polyethylene) will require significant land area, between 0.2 × 106 km2 for obtaining switchgrass and up to around 1.0 × 106 km2 for obtaining forest residue (annual yields of 58.15 t/ha and 3.5 t/ha) in 2050. The intervention analysis shows that proactive policies can mitigate sustainability challenges, however achieving broader sustainability goals also requires reduction of footprints related to energy production and virgin plastic production, the production of bio-based plastics, and the full implementation of recycling initiatives.

Production of Bio-plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Films Synthesized from Microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris)

Abstract Bio-based plasticizers for PVC films are being explored to replace conventional phthalate-based plasticizers due to the threats they pose to human health and the environment. In the present study, fatty acids from Chlorella vulgaris were extracted via Microwave-assisted Extraction and were epoxidized using esterification and transesterification reactions in a magnetically stirred reactor to produce EFAME plasticizer. FTIR Analysis determined the presence of an epoxy group as the peak C=O stretch (1739.79 cm−1) was detected. PVC films were synthesized at different concentrations of EFAME (30%, 40%, and 60%). At 40% of EFAME, the PVC exhibited high displacement in the tensile strength and elongation at break test, which was used as a basis to produce PVC-A, PVC-B, and PVC-C, and was compared to phthalate-plasticized PVC film, PVC-D. SEM-EDX Analysis verified the presence of PVC and EFAME in the plasticized PVC films as Carbon, Oxygen, and Chlorine elements were detected. PVC A had the lowest weight loss percentage at 40.96% indicating it has developed high migration resistance among the extraction mediums used. DSC analysis confirmed the plasticizing effect of EFAME as the glass transition temperature of bioplasticized PVC films decreased. Using One-way ANOVA, the physicochemical tests of PVC films plasticized with EFAME showed significantly better results than PVC films plasticized by DOP. Thus, the present study indicates that the bio-based plasticizer derived from C. vulgaris is a better and a potential alternative for phthalates in plasticizing PVC films.

Investigating the impact of active PHBV films on the nutritional quality of minimally processed apples

The aim of the study was to study the effect of an active film, a blend of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with a derivative of ferulic acid known as bis-O-dihydroferuloyl-1,4-butanediol (BDF), on the quality decay kinetic of minimally processed apples. Due to its properties, BDF is a promising candidate to serve both as a non-toxic biobased plasticizer and as an active additive, simplifying formulation of active packaging. Molecular modelling studies were conducted to explore the interaction between polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and BDF molecule, with the aim of understanding the mechanism of inhibition. The apple slices packed in different treatments exhibited an increase in PPO activity; however, the samples packed in active films showed a significantly slower rate of PPO activity (P < 0.05). Almost 50% of the ascorbic acid content degraded in the control samples (4.95–4.97 mg/100 g fruit weight (FW)) at d7 compared with the samples packaged in BDF-releasing films (5.81–6.1 mg/100 g FW) in which the degradation was only 30%. Using molecular modelling, it was observed that BDF (−6.3 kcal/mol) exhibited a stronger interaction with PPO than catechol (−4.5 kcal/mol) in the met and oxy states. BDF-releasing films showed superior preservative potential over the control as BDF competitively inhibits the PPO active site due to π–π stacking between the aromatic cycle of the BDF molecule and the PHE259 and hydrogen bonding with the active site.

Innovations to overcome the current waste problem caused by single-use plastics in the pursuit of a circular economy

Plastic production continues to increase each year, yet only 9% are successfully recycled. This has impacted natural habitats and ecosystems, due to an uncontrolled amount of waste. The food industry is a major contributor to plastic waste. To counter this problem, the demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives, i.e. bio-based plastics, in the pursuit of a circular economy is increasing. As such, this problem is interconnected and at the resource nexus of particularly, food, material, waste, and ecosystem. This systematic review provides an overview of different innovations regarding materials and additives for bio-based plastics for packaging in the food industry. The paper argues that a majority of materials for bio-based plastics originate from the food industry’s value chain and utilizing these resources is essential to reduce waste and to create more value, essentially addressing the problem with a focus on the resource nexus. Moreover, the importance of developing biodegradable and recyclable plastics to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste is also highlighted, especially in the context of single-use food packaging. These findings and conclusions cumulated into a framework to differentiate the various materials and classify them regarding their biodegradability properties, origin (plant- or animal-based industry by-products and raw materials) and end-of-life scenarios. This contributes to the academic literature and practice by categorizing different kinds of materials, which might be labelled environmentally sustainable, particularly biodegradable, but which might not always be the case and critically discussing implications of this.

Physical characterization of agar-based biodegradable films derived from nonhazardous laboratory waste

Globally, approximately 2.12 billion tons of waste are annually disposed of, with laboratories significantly contributing across diverse waste streams. Effective waste management strategies are crucial to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainability within scientific communities. This study addresses the challenges by introducing a novel method that transforms laboratory media waste into a valuable biopolymer named “Agastic.” The process involves repurposing agar extracted from bulk laboratory waste, blending it with bio-based plasticizers to produce Agastic sheets exhibiting mechanical properties comparable to traditional bioplastics. Using response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD), optimal concentrations of agar (1.5–2.5% w/v), glycerol (0.25–1% v/v), and ethanolamine (0.5–1.5% v/v) were determined. Predictions from Design Expert software indicated impressive tensile strength up to 14.31 MPa for AGA-1 and elongation at break up to 52% for AGA-2. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed agarose structural features in AGA-1 and AGA-2. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed polysaccharide-related breakdown between 38°C and 280°C in AGA-1, peaking at 299.36°C; AGA-2 exhibited diverse thermal decomposition up to 765°C, suggesting their biodegradable potential in packaging applications. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis confirmed nontoxic nature of Agastic and preserved morphological integrity in both samples. Soil degradation studies revealed AGA-1 and AGA-2 losing 71.31% and 70.88% of weight, respectively, over 15 days. This innovation provides a sustainable pathway to repurpose laboratory waste into eco-friendly bioplastics, particularly suitable for moisture-sensitive packaging such as nursery applications. These findings underscore Agastic films’ promise as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics, supporting circular bioeconomy principles and significantly reducing ecological impacts associated with plastic waste.

Child Seat Structure Made of Bio-based and Natural Fiber-reinforced Plastics

Child Seat Structure Made of Bio-based and Natural Fiber-reinforced Plastics