Plastic is a synthetic or part synthetic organic compound.
It is lightweight, strong, and
affordable. About 99% of plastics are made from non-renewable materials like coal,
petroleum, and natural gas. Bioplastics are a topic of interest as an alternative to oil-
based plastic bags because they are biodegradable, bio-based, or both. Their capacity
to break down in water is due to bacterial activity (Censi et al., 2022). The rate and
extent of degradation depend on factors like chemical composition, molecular structure,
and functional groups, along with the environment where they are placed.
Hughes (2022) stated that the estimated consumption of plastic bags worldwide is 5
trillion, and by 2023, it is projected that there will be a staggering amount of 50 to 70
trillion plastic waste. The decomposition of plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500
years depending on environmental factors and its composition.
According to Vonnie (2022) on the study “ Development and Characterization of the
Biodegradable Film Derived from Eggshell and Cornstarch,” eggshells are a valuable
source of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which makes up 95% of their mass. Additionally,
the organic materials, such as sulfated polysaccharides, collagen, and other proteins,
account for the other 5%. CaCO3 can be used to remove various metal ions, such as
manganese, cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel, and chromium. It is also known for its excellent
morphology, porosity, and ability to remove more than 90% of metal ions when the pH,
contact time, agitation speed, and dosage are optimized. Therefore, CaCO3 is
considered a valuable material for use in bioplastics.
A study conducted in 2022, "Analysis of Food Storage Stability of Biodegradable
Containers Made of Pork Skin Gelatin Polymer with Walnut Shell Powder", found that
manufacturing biodegradable containers using gelatin, glycerol, eggshells, and walnut
shells could have positive environmental impact by reducing pollution. Additionally, these
containers can help save money compared to commercially used plastic packaging by
safely storing food. They also have the advantage of being biodegradable.
According to a study conducted in 2022 by the International Journal of Creative
Research Thoughts (IJCRT), the use of banana peels (Musa sapientum) to create
biodegradable plastic showed promising results. By measuring the weight of the
samples before and after decomposition, it was found that they degraded in the
environment without creating any pollution. Additionally, according to a separate study
published in the International Journal of Scientific Research & Engineering Trends,
testing the tensile strength of the sample over different hydrolysis times showed an
increase in strength before decreasing at a certain point. Based on this, the ideal
hydrolysis time for the sample was found to be 15 minutes. As a result, the bioplastic
made from banana peels was found to have sufficient tensile strength to support a
weight of up to 2 kg, making it suitable for use as a carrying bag or packaging material.
This versatility in bioplastics could help reduce the dependence on petroleum-based
plastics in industries.
In order to test a bioplastic, common methods used are tensile strength test,
biodegradability test, and water resistance test. According to the study “Bioplastic from
Cassava peel and eggshell waste” on 2022, water resistance refers to the ability of a
material to resist the absorption of water, which can be determined by measuring the
weight addition of the polymer after exposure to water. Tensile strength is the ability of a
material to withstand maximum tension before breaking, which can be tested by
applying a specific force on one axis until failure occurs. Biodegradability is the ability of
bioplastics to be degraded in soil, which is tested by burying the plastic in soil and
measuring the time it takes for it to decompose completely. This process is accelerated
by sunlight and temperature changes in the soil, resulting in the breakdown of the
plastic into carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, which are harmless to the
environment.
REFERENCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9144320/
https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution#how-does-plastic-impact-wildlife-and-human-
health
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/bioplastics
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
348806219_Production_of_Bioplastics_from_Banana_Peels
