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Yadav K, Nikalje GC. Comprehensive analysis of bioplastics: life cycle assessment, waste management, biodiversity impact, and sustainable mitigation strategies. PeerJ 2024; 12:e18013. [PMID: 39282116 PMCID: PMC11401513 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioplastics are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional plastics, driven by the need for more sustainable options. This review article offers an in-depth analysis of the entire life cycle of bioplastics, from raw material cultivation to manufacturing and disposal, with a focus on environmental impacts at each stage. It emphasizes the significance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and selecting appropriate feedstock to improve environmental outcomes. The review highlights the detrimental effects of unsustainable farming methods, such as pesticide use and deforestation, which can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, the article advocates for the use of efficient extraction techniques and renewable energy sources, prioritizing environmental considerations throughout the production process. Furthermore, the methods for reducing energy consumption, water usage, and chemical inputs during manufacturing by implementing eco-friendly technologies. It stresses the importance of developing robust disposal systems for biodegradable materials and supports recycling initiatives to minimize the need for new resources. The holistic approach to sustainability, including responsible feedstock cultivation, efficient production practices, and effective end-of-life management. It underscores the need to evaluate the potential of bioplastics to reduce plastic pollution, considering technological advancements, infrastructure development, and increased consumer awareness. Future research should focus on enhancing production sustainability, understanding long-term ecological impacts, and advancing bioplastics technology for better performance and environmental compatibility. This comprehensive analysis of bioplastics' ecological footprint highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions in plastic production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushi Yadav
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ganesh Chandrakant Nikalje
- Department of Botany, Seva Sadan's R. K. Talreja College of Arts, Science and Commerce, University of Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, India
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García-Depraect O, Martínez-Mendoza LJ, Aragão Börner R, Zimmer J, Muñoz R. Biomethanization of rigid packaging made entirely of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate): Mono- and co-digestion tests and microbial insights. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 408:131180. [PMID: 39098356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluates the anaerobic mesophilic mono- and co-digestion of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) plastic bottles as a proxy for rigid packaging materials. Initial tests showed a 97.3 ± 0.2 % reduction in weight and an observable alteration in the surface (thinning, color fading and pitting) of the PHBH bottles after eight weeks. Subsequent tests showed that PHBH squares (3 × 3 cm) produced 400 NmL-CH4/g-VSfed, at a slower rate compared to powdered PHBH but with similar methane yield. Co-digestion experiments with food waste, swine manure, or sewage sludge showed successful digestion of PHBH alongside organic waste (even at a high bioplastic loading of 20 % volatile solids basis), with methane production comparable to or slightly higher than that observed in mono-digestion. Molecular analyses suggested that the type of co-substrate influenced microbial activity and that methane production was mainly driven by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. These results suggest the potential for integrating rigid PHBH packaging into anaerobic digesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio García-Depraect
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Leonardo J Martínez-Mendoza
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Rosa Aragão Börner
- Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Route du Jorat 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Zimmer
- Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Route du Jorat 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
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Liu W, Wang S, He S, Shi Y, Hou C, Jiang X, Song Y, Zhang T, Zhang Y, Shen Z. Enzyme modified biodegradable plastic preparation and performance in anaerobic co-digestion with food waste. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 401:130739. [PMID: 38670291 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
A modified biodegradable plastic (PLA/PBAT) was developed by through covalent bonding with proteinase K, porcine pancreatic lipase, or amylase, and was then investigated in anaerobic co-digestion mixed with food waste. Fluorescence microscope validated that enzymes could remain stable in modified the plastic, even after co-digestion. The results of thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion showed that, degradation of the plastic modified with Proteinase K increased from 5.21 ± 0.63 % to 29.70 ± 1.86 % within 30 days compare to blank. Additionally, it was observed that the cumulative methane production increased from 240.9 ± 0.5 to 265.4 ± 1.8 mL/gVS, and the methane production cycle was shortened from 24 to 20 days. Interestingly, the kinetic model suggested that the modified the plastic promoted the overall hydrolysis progression of anaerobic co-digestion, possibly as a result of the enhanced activities of Bacteroidota and Thermotogota. In conclusion, under anaerobic co-digestion, the modified the plastic not only achieved effective degradation but also facilitated the co-digestion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Liu
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China
| | - Shizhuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China; Shanghai Research Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Songting He
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China
| | - Yang Shi
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China; Shanghai Research Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Xintong Jiang
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China
| | - Yuanbo Song
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China; Shanghai Research Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Rural Toilet and SewageTreatment Technology, Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Affairs, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China; Shanghai Research Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Shen
- Institute of New Rural Development, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, P. R. China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Rural Toilet and SewageTreatment Technology, Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Affairs, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, P. R. China; Shanghai Research Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China.
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Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Bioplastics and Food Waste under Mesophilic and Thermophilic Conditions: Synergistic Effect and Biodegradation. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8110638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To mitigate the various problems caused by using conventional plastics, bioplastic (BP) has emerged as a substitute for plastics. BP wastes after use are commonly treated using composting, causing many environmental problems. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has become prominent as an alternative method of producing renewable energy. The aim of this study was to estimate the methane production yield (MPY) of BPs (polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)) with mechanical pretreatment (particle size < 0.5 cm) and investigate the effect of co-digestion of BPs and food waste (FW). Batch experiments were conducted under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions at various mixing ratios (FW/PLA or PHA = 95:5 and 90:10 on a weight basis). During 20 d of digestion at temperatures of 37 and 55 °C, MPYs of PHA were 153.8–172.0 mL CH4/g chemical oxygen demand (COD), but that of PLA was significantly low (<25.6 mL CH4/g COD). Higher MPYs were attained at 55 °C than at 37 °C. The synergistic effects of FW addition on BP AD were observed at both temperatures, especially at 55 °C. By comparing theoretical (based on mono-digestion results) and actual (based on co-digestion results) MPYs, the synergistic effect of FW addition on MPY of co-digestion reached 8.5–26.6% and 12.7–25.5% for PLA- and PHA-fed tests, respectively. The biodegradation rates (on a volatile solids (VS) basis) of PLA and PHA were 6.0–13.7% and 49.1–52.3% and increased by 1.8–4.3 and 1.2–1.5 times in the PLA- and PHA-fed co-digestion tests, respectively. Co-digestion of FW might be a feasible treatment option for BPs combined with simple mechanical pretreatment.
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Cucina M, Soggia G, De Nisi P, Giordano A, Adani F. Assessing the anaerobic degradability and the potential recovery of biomethane from different biodegradable bioplastics in a full-scale approach. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 354:127224. [PMID: 35483534 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anaerobic degradability and the potential recovery of biomethane from different bioplastics using a full-scale approach. Bioplastics were placed inside a real anaerobic digestion plant working under thermophilic conditions and quantitative and qualitative degradation of bioplastics was evaluated. Laboratory-scale experiments were used to determine the amount of biomethane produced by anaerobic degradation of bioplastics. Polylactic acid-based items may degrade completely using retention times compatible with anaerobic digestion plants contributing positively to biomethane production, i.e., in 90 days 397 ± 8 NL CH4 kgvolatile solids-1 were produced by polylactic acid-based cutlery. Starch-based shoppers showed a quick degradation of the starch component in the first month of anaerobic digestion, followed by a slow degradation of the polyester component. Anaerobic digestion and/or anaerobic digestion coupled to digestate composting may represent the best strategy to dispose these wastes meeting the principles of Circular Economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Cucina
- Gruppo Ricicla Lab. - DiSAA - Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Soggia
- Gruppo Ricicla Lab. - DiSAA - Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia De Nisi
- Gruppo Ricicla Lab. - DiSAA - Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Giordano
- Acqua & Sole Srl - Via Giulio Natta, 27010 Vellezzo Bellini, (PV), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Adani
- Gruppo Ricicla Lab. - DiSAA - Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Promising Developments in Bio-Based Products as Alternatives to Conventional Plastics to Enable Circular Economy in Ukraine. RECYCLING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/recycling7020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Transforming the plastic industry toward producing more sustainable alternatives than conventional plastics, as an essential enabler of the bio-based circular economy (CE), requires reinforcing initiatives to drive solutions from the lab to the market. In this regard, startups and ideation and innovation events can potentially play significant roles in consolidating efforts and investments by academia and industry to foster bio-based and biodegradable plastic-related developments. This study aimed to present the current trends and challenges of bioplastics and bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives for plastics. On this basis, having conducted a systematic literature review, the seminal research themes of the bio-based materials and bioplastics literature were unfolded and discussed. Then, the most recent developments of bio-based sustainable products in Ukraine, as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, that have gained publicity through local startup programs and hackathons were presented. The findings shed light on the potential of the bio-based sector to facilitate the CE transition through (i) rendering innovative solutions most of which have been less noticed in academia before; (ii) enhancing academic debate and bridging the gap between developers, scholars, and practitioners within the plastic industry toward creating circularity across the supply chain; (iii) identifying the main challenges and future perspectives for further investigations in the future.
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