Overview of Bioplastic Introduction and Its Applications in Product Packaging

Structural and optical properties of alginate-based antibacterial dressing with calcium phosphate and zinc oxide for biodegradable wound painting applications

The skin is the outermost part of the body. Although susceptible to damage, the skin is in direct contact with the external environment. Wound dressing is a clinical method that plays a vital role in wound healing. Herein, we developed an antibacterial wound dressing using alginate as the basic material. The dressing was prepared using the solvent casting method, which was used to analyze the effects of adding CaP and ZnO on its structural, optical, and antibacterial properties. Adding CaP exhibited strong but stiff mechanical properties, unlike the CaP/ZnO, which possessed high strength and elasticity. The optical properties of sample S2 did not have a considerable impact. By contrast, the addition of ZnO to sample S3 notably increases the wavelength and absorption value. The diameter of the inhibition zone for S. aureus bacteria exhibited a successive increase in its antibacterial properties, and sample S3 exhibited the highest value. Thus, sample S3 is the most promising wound dressing concerning speeding up the wound healing process because it possesses the most optimal mechanical, optical, and antibacterial properties. The main limitation to be addressed is that sample S3 cannot be easily digested in the environment.

Microplastics from petroleum-based plastics and their effects: A systematic literature review and science mapping of global bioplastics production

The use of bioplastics is a new strategy for reducing microplastic (MP) waste caused by petroleum-based plastics. This problem has received increased attention worldwide, leading to the development of large-scale bioplastic plants. The large amount of MPs in aquatic and terrestrial environments and the atmosphere has raised global concern. This article delves into the profound environmental impact of the increasing use of petroleum-based plastics, which contribute significantly to plastic waste and, as a consequence, to the increase in MPs. We conducted a comprehensive analysis to identify countries that are at the forefront of efforts to produce bioplastics to reduce MP pollution. In this article, we explain the development, degradation processes, and research trends of bioplastics derived from biological materials such as starch, chitin, chitosan, and polylactic acid (PLA). The findings pinpoint the top 10 countries demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing MP pollution through bioplastics. These nations included the United States, China, Spain, Canada, Italy, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This study underscores the technical and economic obstacles to large-scale bioplastic production. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-20. © 2024 SETAC.

Algal-based bioplastics: global trends in applied research, technologies, and commercialization

The excessive global demand for plastic materials has resulted in severe plastic waste pollution. Conventional plastics derived from non-renewable fossil fuels are non-biodegradable, leading to significant environmental problems. Algal-based bioplastics represent a more viable, renewable, and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. They have identical properties and characteristics as conventional plastics while being naturally biodegradable. The potential of the algal biomass value chain has already been well-established by researchers. Here, we review the novel insights on research, technology, and commercialization trends of algal-based bioplastics, encompassing macroalgae and green microalgae/cyanobacteria. Data showed that within the last decade, there has been substantial interest in utilizing microalgae for biopolymer production, with more focus on using cyanobacterial species compared to green algae. Moreover, most of the research conducted has largely focused on the production of PHA or its co-polymers. Since 2011, there have been a total of 55 patents published related to algal-based bioplastics production. To date, ~ 81 entities worldwide (commercial and private businesses) produce bioplastics from algae. Overall results of this study emphasized that even with the economic and social challenges, algae possess a substantial potential for the sustainable development of bioplastics while also addressing the UN's SDGs.

Green Synthesis of Bioplastics from Microalgae: A State-of-the-Art Review

The synthesis of conventional plastics has increased tremendously in the last decades due to rapid industrialization, population growth, and advancement in the use of modern technologies. However, overuse of these fossil fuel-based plastics has resulted in serious environmental and health hazards by causing pollution, global warming, etc. Therefore, the use of microalgae as a feedstock is a promising, green, and sustainable approach for the production of biobased plastics. Various biopolymers, such as polyhydroxybutyrate, polyurethane, polylactic acid, cellulose-based polymers, starch-based polymers, and protein-based polymers, can be produced from different strains of microalgae under varying culture conditions. Different techniques, including genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, the use of photobioreactors, response surface methodology, and artificial intelligence, are used to alter and improve microalgae stocks for the commercial synthesis of bioplastics at lower costs. In comparison to conventional plastics, these biobased plastics are biodegradable, biocompatible, recyclable, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and sustainable, with robust mechanical and thermoplastic properties. In addition, the bioplastics are suitable for a plethora of applications in the agriculture, construction, healthcare, electrical and electronics, and packaging industries. Thus, this review focuses on techniques for the production of biopolymers and bioplastics from microalgae. In addition, it discusses innovative and efficient strategies for large-scale bioplastic production while also providing insights into the life cycle assessment, end-of-life, and applications of bioplastics. Furthermore, some challenges affecting industrial scale bioplastics production and recommendations for future research are provided.

Challenges of Green Transition in Polymer Production: Applications in Zero Energy Innovations and Hydrogen Storage

The green transition in the sustainable production and processing of polymers poses multifaceted challenges that demand integral comprehensive solutions. Specific problems of presences of toxic trace elements are often missed and this prevents shifting towards eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, substantial research and the development of novel approaches is needed to discover and implement innovative, sustainable production materials and methods. This paper is focused on the most vital problems of the green transition from the aspect of establishing universally accepted criteria for the characterization and classification of eco-friendly polymers, which is essential to ensuring transparency and trust among consumers. Additionally, the recycling infrastructure needs substantial improvement to manage the end-of-life stage of polymer products effectively. Moreover, the lack of standardized regulations and certifications for sustainable polymers adds to the complexity of this problem. In this paper we propose solutions from the aspect of standardization protocols for the characterization of polymers foreseen as materials that should be used in Zero Energy Innovations in Hydrogen Storage. The role model standards originate from eco-labeling procedures for materials that come into direct or prolonged contact with human skin, and that are monitored by different methods and testing procedures. In conclusion, the challenges of transitioning to green practices in polymer production and processing demands a concerted effort from experts in the field which need to emphasize the problems of the analysis of toxic ultra trace and trace impurities in samples that will be used in hydrogen storage, as trace impurities may cause terrific obstacles due to their decreasing the safety of materials. Overcoming these obstacles requires the development and application of current state-of-the-art methodologies for monitoring the quality of polymers during their recycling, processing, and using, as well as the development of other technological innovations, financial initiatives, and a collective commitment to fostering a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the polymer industry and innovations in the field of zero energy applications.

Performance of Recycled Polylactic Acid/Amorphous Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blends

Blends of polylactic acid (PLA) with amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (aPHA) are less brittle than neat PLA, thus enabling their use as biodegradable packaging. This work investigated the impact of recycling on the properties of neat PLA and PLA/aPHA blends with 90 and 75 wt. % PLA. After the materials were subjected to five heat histories in a single-screw extruder, the mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties were measured. All recycled compounds with 100% PLA and 75% PLA had similar decomposition behavior, whereas the decomposition temperatures for the blends with 90% PLA decreased with each additional heat cycle. The glass transition and melting temperatures were not impacted by reprocessing, but the crystallinity increased with more heat cycles. The complex viscosity of the reprocessed PLA and PLA/aPHA blends was much lower than for the neat PLA and increasing the number of heat cycles produced smaller reductions in the complex viscosity of 100% PLA and the blend with 90% PLA; no change in complex viscosity was observed for blends with 75% PLA exposed to 2 to 5 heat cycles. The tensile properties were not affected by reprocessing, whereas the impact strength for the 75% PLA blend decreased with reprocessing. These properties suggest that users will be able to incorporate scrap into the neat resin for thermoformed packaging.

Bacteria for Bioplastics: Progress, Applications, and Challenges

Bioplastics are one of the answers that can point society toward a sustainable future. Under this premise, the synthesis of polymers with competitive properties using low-cost starting materials is a highly desired factor in the industry. Also, tackling environmental issues such as nonbiodegradable waste generation, high carbon footprint, and consumption of nonrenewable resources are some of the current concerns worldwide. The scientific community has been placing efforts into the biosynthesis of polymers using bacteria and other microbes. These microorganisms can be convenient reactors to consume food and agricultural wastes and convert them into biopolymers with inherently attractive properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and appreciable mechanical and chemical properties. Such biopolymers can be applied to several fields such as packing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, medical, biomedical, and agricultural. Thus, intending to elucidate the science of microbes to produce polymers, this review starts with a brief introduction to bioplastics by describing their importance and the methods for their production. The second section dives into the importance of bacteria regarding the biochemical routes for the synthesis of polymers along with their advantages and disadvantages. The third section covers some of the main parameters that influence biopolymers' production. Some of the main applications of biopolymers along with a comparison between the polymers obtained from microorganisms and the petrochemical-based ones are presented. Finally, some discussion about the future aspects and main challenges in this field is provided to elucidate the main issues that should be tackled for the wide application of microorganisms for the preparation of bioplastics.

Toughening Enhancement Mechanism and Performance Optimization of Castor-Oil-Based Polyurethane Cross-Linked Modified Polybutylene Adipate/Terephthalate Composites

In this study, polyol castor oil (CO) and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) were selected to modify PBAT, and castor-oil-based polyurethane (COP) was produced in a PBAT matrix using melt-blending and hot-pressing technology to study the effect of network cross-linking structure on various properties of bio-based polyester PBAT, aiming to introduce CO and TDI to improve the mechanical properties of composite materials. The results showed that when the total addition of CO and TDI was 15%, and the ratio of the hydroxyl group of CO to the isocyanate group of TDI was 1:1, the mechanical properties were the best. The tensile strength of the composite was 86.19% higher than that of pure PBAT, the elongation at break was 70.09% higher than that of PBAT, and the glass transition temperature was 7.82 °C higher than that of pure PBAT. Therefore, the composite modification of PBAT by CO and TDI can effectively improve the heat resistance and mechanical properties of PBAT-based composites.

Synergetic effects of polyethylene microplastic and abamectin pesticides on the eyes of zebrafish larvae and adults through activation of apoptosis signaling pathways

Although the toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and pesticides has recently been described, the possible effects of combining these pollutants are poorly understood. Thus, we evaluated the potential impact of exposure to polyethylene MP (PE-MP) and abamectin (ABM) (alone and combined) in zebrafish. After five days, the combined exposure to MP and ABM decreased the survival rate compared to exposures to individual pollutants. A significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, and impairment in antioxidant response was observed in zebrafish larvae. Morphological changes in the eyes of zebrafish significantly increased in the combined exposure group than in the individual exposure. Furthermore, the bax and p53 expression (specific apoptotic genes) was significantly upregulated after the combined exposure to PE-MP and ABM. So, the synergetic effect of MP and ABM cannot be ignored, and further research on other higher models is required to confirm its consequences.

Towards Less Plastic in Food Contact Materials: An In-Depth Overview of the Belgian Market

The food contact materials (FCMs) industry is forced to develop substitute materials due to constant pressure from consumers and authorities to reduce fossil-based plastic. Several alternatives are available on the market. However, market share, trends, and consumer preferences are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the Belgian FCMs market, the available substitute materials, and their uses. The market analysis was performed with an integrated web-based approach. Fifty-two sources were investigated, covering e-shops selling materials intended to replace disposable plastic materials or being advertised as environmentally friendly and websites describing homemade FCMs. The first screening identified 10,523 articles. The following data cleaning process resulted in a homogeneous dataset containing 2688 unique entries, systematically categorised into fifteen material categories and seven utilisation classes. Paper and board was the most popular material category (i.e., 37% of the entries), followed by bagasse, accounting for 9% of the entries. Takeaway and food serving (44.4% and 22.8% of the entries) were the most common usage categories. The study pursued to provide insights into current trends and consumer preferences, highlighting priorities for safety assessment and future policy making.

Bioplastic production in terms of life cycle assessment: A state-of-the-art review

The current transition to sustainability and the circular economy can be viewed as a socio-technical response to environmental impacts and the need to enhance the overall performance of the linear production and consumption paradigm. The concept of biowaste refineries as a feasible alternative to petroleum refineries has gained popularity. Biowaste has become an important raw material source for developing bioproducts and biofuels. Therefore, effective environmental biowaste management systems for the production of bioproducts and biofuels are crucial and can be employed as pillars of a circular economy. Bioplastics, typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers, stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Various frameworks and strategies are utilized to model and illustrate additional patterns in fossil fuel and bioplastic feedstock prices for various governments' long-term policies. This review paper highlights the harmful impacts of fossil-based plastic on the environment and human health, as well as the mass need for eco-friendly alternatives such as biodegradable bioplastics. Utilizing new types of bioplastics derived from renewable resources (e.g., biowastes, agricultural wastes, or microalgae) and choosing the appropriate end-of-life option (e.g., anaerobic digestion) may be the right direction to ensure the sustainability of bioplastic production. Clear regulation and financial incentives are still required to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with a truly sustainable impact.

The Potential Applications of Reinforced Bioplastics in Various Industries: A Review

The introduction of bioplastics has been an evolution for plastic industry since conventional plastics have been claimed to cause several environmental issues. Apart from its biodegradability, one of the advantages can be identified of using bioplastic is that they are produced by renewal resources as the raw materials for synthesis. Nevertheless, bioplastics can be classified into two types, which are biodegradable and non-biodegradable, depending on the type of plastic that is produced. Although some of the bioplastics are non-biodegradable, the usage of biomass in synthesising the bioplastics helps in preserving non-renewable resources, which are petrochemical, in producing conventional plastics. However, the mechanical strength of bioplastic still has room for improvement as compared to conventional plastics, which is believed to limit its application. Ideally, bioplastics need to be reinforced for improving their performance and properties to serve their application. Before 21st century, synthetic reinforcement has been used to reinforce conventional plastic to achieve its desire properties to serve its application, such as glass fiber. Owing to several issues, the trend has been diversified to utilise natural resources as reinforcements. There are several industries that have started to use reinforced bioplastic, and this article focuses on the advantages of using reinforced bioplastic in various industries and its limitations. Therefore, this article aims to study the trend of reinforced bioplastic applications and the potential applications of reinforced bioplastics in various industries.

A bionanocomposite of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/ZnO-nanoparticles intended for food packaging

Films-based bionanocomposites have gained a great importance in food plastic packaging because they are eco-friendly materials and have the potential to improve food protection, while limiting the accumulation of synthetic plastics on the planet. In this paper, biofilms were prepared using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) reinforced with Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to develop new bionanocomposite materials intended for food packaging. The samples were fabricated using first solvent casting method followed by melt compounding at various loading rates, i.e., 1.5, 3 and 6 wt%. The obtained results showed that the incorporation of ZnO-NPs to PHBHHx at 3 wt% leads to higher crystallinity, improved mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity, compared with neat polymer and other bionanocomposites. This was attributed to the finer and homogeneous nanofiller dispersion in the polymer matrix evidenced by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Whereas at 6 wt%, the bionanocomposite sample exhibited low mechanical properties due to the formation of ZnO-NPs aggregates. In view of the obtained results, the study highlights the potential of using the PHBHHx/ZnO-NPs bionanocomposite at 3 wt% in food packaging without any prior filler treatment.

Characterization and Process Optimization for Enhanced Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-Based Biodegradable Polymer from Bacillus flexus Isolated from Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Site

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in bio-based degradable plastics as an alternative to synthetic plastic. Polyhyroxybutyrate (PHB) is a macromolecule produced by bacteria as a part of their metabolism. Bacteria accumulate them as reserve materials when growing under different stress conditions. PHBs can be selected as alternatives for the production of biodegradable plastics because of their fast degradation properties when exposed to natural environmental conditions. Hence, the present study was undertaken in order to isolate the potential PHB-producing bacteria isolated from the municipal solid waste landfill site soil samples collected from the Ha’il region of Saudi Arabia to assess the production of PHB using agro-residues as a carbon source and to evaluate the growth of PHB production. In order to screen the isolates for producing PHB, a dye-based procedure was initially employed. Based on the 16S rRNA analysis of the isolates, Bacillus flexus (B. flexus) accumulated the highest amount of PHB of all the isolates. By using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer and Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), in which a sharp absorption band at 1721.93 cm−1 (C=O stretching of ester), 1273.23 cm−1 (–CH group), multiple bands between 1000 and 1300 cm−1 (stretching of the C–O bond), 2939.53 cm−1 (–CH3 stretching), 2880.39 cm−1 (–CH2 stretching) and 3510.02 cm−1 (terminal –OH group), the extracted polymer was characterized and confirmed its structure as PHB. The highest PHB production by B. flexus was obtained after 48 h of incubation (3.9 g/L) at pH 7.0 (3.7 g/L), 35 °C (3.5 g/L) with glucose (4.1 g/L) and peptone (3.4 g/L) as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. As a result of the use of various cheap agricultural wastes, such as rice bran, barley bran, wheat bran, orange peel and banana peel as carbon sources, the strain was found to be capable of accumulating PHB. Using response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of PHB synthesis using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) proved to be highly effective in increasing the polymer yield of the synthesis. With the optimum conditions obtained from RSM, PHB content can be increased by approximately 1.3-fold when compared to an unoptimized medium, resulting in a significant reduction in production costs. Thus, isolate B. flexus is a highly promising candidate for the production of industrial-size quantities of PHB from agricultural wastes and is capable of removing the environmental concerns associated with synthetic plastics from the industrial production process. Moreover, the successful production of bioplastics using a microbial culture provides a promising avenue for the large-scale production of biodegradable and renewable plastics with potential applications in various industries, including packaging, agriculture and medicine.

3D printing of polylactic acid: recent advances and opportunities

Bio-based polymers are a class of polymers made by living organisms, a few of them known and commercialized yet. Due to poor mechanical strength and economic constraints, they have not yet seen the extensive application. Instead, they have been an appropriate candidate for biological applications. Growing consumer knowledge of the environmental effect of polymers generated from petrochemical sources and a worldwide transition away from plastics with a lifespan of hundreds of years has resulted in greater interest in such hitherto unattainable sectors. Bio-based polymers come in various forms, including direct or "drop-in" replacements for their petrochemical counterparts with nearly identical properties or completely novel polymers that were previously unavailable, such as polylactide. Few of these bio-based polymers offer significantly improved technical specifications than their alternatives. Polylactic acid (PLA) has been well known in the last decade as a biodegradable thermoplastic source for use in 3DP by the "fused deposition modeling" method. The PLA market is anticipated to accomplish 5.2 billion US dollars in 2020 for its industrial usage. Conversely, 3DP is one of the emerging technologies with immense economic potential in numerous sectors where PLA is one of the critical options as the polymer source due to its environmentally friendly nature, glossiness, multicolor appearance, and ease of printing. The chemical structure, manufacturing techniques, standard features, and current market situation of PLA were examined in this study. This review looks at the process of 3DP that uses PLA filaments in extrusion-based 3DP technologies in particular. Several recent articles describing 3D-printed PLA items have been highlighted.

An Overview on Wood Waste Valorization as Biopolymers and Biocomposites: Definition, Classification, Production, Properties and Applications

Bio-based polymers, obtained from natural biomass, are nowadays considered good candidates for the replacement of traditional fossil-derived plastics. The need for substituting traditional synthetic plastics is mainly driven by many concerns about their detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The most innovative way to produce bioplastics involves the use of raw materials derived from wastes. Raw materials are of vital importance for human and animal health and due to their economic and environmental benefits. Among these, wood waste is gaining popularity as an innovative raw material for biopolymer manufacturing. On the other hand, the use of wastes as a source to produce biopolymers and biocomposites is still under development and the processing methods are currently being studied in order to reach a high reproducibility and thus increase the yield of production. This study therefore aimed to cover the current developments in the classification, manufacturing, performances and fields of application of bio-based polymers, especially focusing on wood waste sources. The work was carried out using both a descriptive and an analytical methodology: first, a description of the state of art as it exists at present was reported, then the available information was analyzed to make a critical evaluation of the results. A second way to employ wood scraps involves their use as bio-reinforcements for composites; therefore, the increase in the mechanical response obtained by the addition of wood waste in different bio-based matrices was explored in this work. Results showed an increase in Young's modulus up to 9 GPa for wood-reinforced PLA and up to 6 GPa for wood-reinforced PHA.

Biowastes for biodegradable bioplastics production and end-of-life scenarios in circular bioeconomy and biorefinery concept

Due to global urbanization, industrialization, and economic development, biowastes generation represents negative consequences on the environment and human health. The use of generated biowastes as a feedstock for biodegradable bioplastic production has opened a new avenue for environmental sustainability from the circular (bio)economy standpoint. Biodegradable bioplastic production can contribute to the sustainability pillars (environmental, economic, and social). Furthermore, bioenergy, biomass, and biopolymers production after recycling of biodegradable bioplastic can help to maintain the energy-environment balance. Several types of biodegradable bioplastic, such as starch-based, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate, can achieve this aim. In this review, an overview of the main biowastes valorization routes and the main biodegradable bioplastic types of production, application, and biodegradability are discussed to achieve the transition to the circular economy. Additionally, end-of-life scenarios (up-cycle and down-cycle) are reviewed to attain the maximum environmental, social, and economic benefit from biodegradable bioplastic products under biorefinery concept.

Preparation of sodium alginate films incorporated with hydroalcoholic extract of Macrocystis pyrifera

Agroindustry needs novel materials to replace synthetic plastics. This article introduces sodium alginate films with antioxidant properties. The films, which were incorporated with hydroalcoholic extract of Macrocystis pyrifera, were tested on sliced Hass avocados. The research featured sodium alginate films incorporated with hydroalcoholic extracts of M. pyrifera. Uncoated avocado halves served as control, while the experimental samples were covered with polymer film with or without hydroalcoholic extract. A set of experiments made it possible to evaluate the effect of the extracts on polymeric matrices, release kinetics, and sensory profile of halved Hass avocados. A greater concentration of hydroalcoholic extracts increased the content of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity. As a result, the bands in the carboxylate groups of sodium alginate became more intense. Crystallinity decreased, whereas opacity and mass loss percentage increased, and conglomerates appeared on the surface of the films. These processes fit the KorsmeyerPeppas kinetic model because they resulted from a combination of diffusion and swelling mechanisms in the films. The films incorporated with hydroalcoholic extract of M. pyrifera proved to be an effective alternative to traditional fruit wrapping materials.

Factors Affecting Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Bioplastics: A Review

The short life cycle and recalcitrant nature of petroleum-based plastics have been associated with plastic waste accumulation due to their composition rather than worldwide overproduction. The drive to replace single-use products has sparked a considerable amount of research work to discover sustainable options for petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics open up a new horizon in plastics manufacturing operations and industrial sectors because of their low environmental impact, superior biodegradability, and contribution to sustainable goals. Their mechanical properties regarding tensile, flexural, hardness, and impact strength vary substantially. Various attempts have been made to augment their mechanical characteristics and capacities by incorporating reinforcement materials, such as inorganic and lignocellulosic fibres. This review summarizes the research on the properties of bioplastics modified by fibre reinforcement, with a focus on mechanical performance. The mechanical properties of reinforced bioplastics are significantly driven by parameters such as filler type, filler percentage, and aspect ratio. Fibre treatment aims to promote fibre–matrix adhesion by changing their physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties. A general overview of how different filler treatments affect the mechanical properties of the composite is also presented. Lastly, the application of natural fibre-reinforced bioplastics in the automobile, construction, and packaging industries is discussed.

Biodiesel and Bioplastic Production from Waste-Cooking-Oil Transesterification: An Environmentally Friendly Approach

Alternative sources of fuel have been a concern in the last few decades. The growth of urbanization and industrialization will lead to the exhaustion of fossil fuels, attracting studies on alternative routes. The main aim of this study was to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) by methyl transesterification using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. For this, the physicochemical parameters of biodiesel were studied in triplicate (density, acidity, saponification, viscosity, corrosiveness to copper, visual appearance, and cloud point). An analysis by thin layer chromatography and infrared spectrometry was also performed. The increase in yield (83.3%) was directly proportional to the increase in the catalyst (0.22 g of NaOH). The infrared absorption spectra of WCO and biodiesel showed the presence of common and singular bands of each material. Furthermore, a simple and low-cost mechanism was proposed for purifying glycerol. The spectra of glycerol versus purified glycerin showed that the glycerin produced was pure, being used in the formulation of bioplastic. The product was checked for biodegradation and photodegradation, with incredible soil-degradation times of 180 days and photodegradation of only 60 days. In this way, biodiesel production from WCO showed environmentally friendly proposals and applicability. As the next steps, it is necessary to test the biodiesel produced in combustion engines and improve the bioplastic production, including a spectroscopic characterization and extensive biodegradation testing.