Incarnation of bioplastics: recuperation of plastic pollution

ABSTRACT

Bioplastics are used as potent eco-friendly alternatives to minimise the adverse environmental impacts induced by petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics, especially biodegradable plastics are materials that can be produced from non-edible or waste products of agricultural fields and kitchens and could be decomposed by the microorganisms at the end conventional plastics are mainly mineral oil-based which mitigate one of the important resources of humanity. Though petrochemical-based plastics are very important materials in our daily lives, but excessive use and our negligence create severe plastic pollution. Due to the lack of proper handling of plastic wastes, they are piled up on soil day by day and cause environmental pollution. These waste substances pollute the soil by releasing harmful chemicals. Accumulation of plastic wastes especially thin polyethylene bags clog the drainage systems or dumps causing overflow of it or even flooding. Each year trillions of plastic residues are being released into the ocean. Such petrochemical plastic wastes like tiny pellets, crackers discharge nasty toxic chemicals which endanger the life of aquatic animals. In some cases, the petrochemical wastes have been burned which release toxic gasses and they combine with the water vapour present in the air, which may create acid rain. Post-invasion into the biosphere, microplastics may cause adverse health effects upon living organisms. On the contrary, bioplastics have the ability to minimise these harmful issues and henceforth become one of the interesting topics in the twenty-first century. Bioplastics, such as PLA, PHA, PHB, PHV, PHH, and starch polymers and their modified form by tuning physical and chemical properties will show the new dimension in many applications to overcome and replacing many synthetic plastics. The present work reviewed how bio-derived plastics achieve such interest and how it becomes the most acceptable substitute to beat this venomous plastic pollution.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioplastic
• petrochemical waste
• recycling
• biopolymer

Acknowledgments

DST-PURSE is gratefully acknowledged. S.P thanks to her family members and laboratories friend circle. S.I.A thanks Al-Fatehar Education Society.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).