Abstract
The development and utilization of biodegradable plastics are currently being promoted as a solution to ecological and environmental impacts associated with the conventional petrochemical-based plastics. Biodegradation processes have opened an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable management of plastic waste. However, definite answers to a few significant issues related to the choice of plastics, their biodegradability and role in waste management are limited. Since the physical appearance of plastics made from either biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials is indistinguishable, labelling and identification of biodegradable plastics in a sensible and easily recognizable way are necessary. Biodegradable plastics can benefit the waste management only if efficient collection and sorting systems is implemented. Successful implementation of sustainable waste management by the use of biodegradable plastics requires thorough understanding on the end-of-life management options and the environmental impact of these polymers, which call for the integration in policies, regulation and standards. This review addresses the current scenario, opportunities and challenges in the management of biodegradable plastic waste.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Álvarez-Chávez, C. R., Edwards, S., Moure-Eraso, R., & Geiser, K. (2012). Sustainability of bio-based plastics: General comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 23(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.10.003.
Chattopadhyay, S. K., Singh, S., Pramanik, N., Niyogi, U., Khandal, R., Uppaluri, R., et al. (2011). Biodegradability studies on natural fibers reinforced polypropylene composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 121(4), 2226–2232. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.33828.
Cornell, D. D. (2007). Biopolymers in the existing postconsumer plastics recycling stream. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 15(4), 295–299.
de Andrade, M. F. C., Souza, P. M. S., Cavalett, O., & Morales, A. R. (2016). Life cycle assessment of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA): Comparison between chemical recycling, mechanical recycling and composting. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 24(4), 372–384.
Dilkes-Hoffman, L. S., Pratt, S., Lant, P. A., & Laycock, B. (2019). The role of biodegradable plastic in solving plastic solid waste accumulation. Plastics to Energy, 469–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-813140-4.00019-4.
Emadian, S. M., Onay, T. T., & Demirel, B. (2017). Biodegradation of bioplastics in natural environments. Waste Management, 59, 526–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.10.006.
Endres, H.-J., & Raths, A.-S. (2011). End-of-life options for biopolymers. In H.-J. Endres & A.-S. Raths (Eds.), Engineering Biopolymers, Hanser (pp. 225–243).
European Bioplastics. (2018). Bioplastic market data 2018. In European Bioplastics.
Gross, R. A., & Kalra, B. (2002). Biodegradable polymers for the environment. Science, 297(5582), 803–807. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.297.5582.803.
Hermann, B. G., Debeer, L., De Wilde, B., Blok, K., & Patel, M. K. (2011). To compost or not to compost: Carbon and energy footprints of biodegradable materials’ waste treatment. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 96(6), 1159–1171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.12.026.
Janczak, K., Hrynkiewicz, K., Znajewska, Z., & Dąbrowska, G. (2018). Use of rhizosphere microorganisms in the biodegradation of PLA and PET polymers in compost soil. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 130(March), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.03.017.
Karakus, K., Birbilen, Y., & Mengeloǧlu, F. (2016). Assessment of selected properties of LDPE composites reinforced with sugar beet pulp. Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, 88, 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2016.03.039.
Lambert, S. (2015). Biopolymers and their application as biodegradable plastics. Microbial Factories 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2595-9_1.
Lucas, N., Bienaime, C., Belloy, C., Queneudec, M., Silvestre, F., Nava-Saucedo, J. E. (2008). Polymer biodegradation: Mechanisms and estimation techniques—A review. Chemosphere, 73(4), 429–442.
Mohee, R., et al. (2008). Biodegradability of biodegradable/degradable plastic materials under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Waste Management, 28(9), 1624–1629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.07.003.
Mooney, B. P. (2009). The second green revolution? Production of plant-based biodegradable plastics. Biochemical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20081769.
Nakamura, E. M., et al. (2005). Study and development of LDPE/starch partially biodegradable compounds. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 162–163(SPEC. ISS.), 236–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.02.007.
Nakasaki, K., Ohtaki, A., & Takano, H. (2000). Biodegradable plastic reduces ammonia emission during composting. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 70(2), 185–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(00)00104-X.
Niaounakis, M. (2013). Physical recycling. Biopolymers Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal, 151–166.
Pattanasuttichonlakul, W., Sombatsompop, N., & Prapagdee, B. (2018). Accelerating biodegradation of PLA using microbial consortium from dairy wastewater sludge combined with PLA-degrading bacterium. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 132(March), 74–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.05.014.
Ren, X. (2002). Biodegradable plastics: A solution or a challenge? Journal of Cleaner Production, 11(1), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-6526(02)00020-3.
Rudnik, E. (2019). Chapter 2—Compostable polymer materials—Definitions, structures and methods of preparation. In E. Rudnik (Ed.), Compostable Polymer Materials (2nd ed., pp. 11–48), Elsevier. ISBN 9780080994383, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-099438-3.00002-1.
Song, J. H., Murphy, R. J., Narayan, R., & Davies, G. B. H. (2009). Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2127–2139. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0289.
Spierling, S., Venkatachalam, V., Behnsen, H., Herrmann, C., & Endres, H.-J. (2018). Bioplastics and circular economy—Performance indicators to identify optimal pathways. Progress in Life Cycle Assessment, 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92237-9_16.
Tokiwa, Y., & Jarerat, A. (2004). Biodegradation of poly(l-lactide). Biotechnology Letters, 26(10), 771–777
Verma, D., & Fortunati, E. (2019). Biobased and biodegradable plastics. In Handbook of ecomaterials (vol. 4). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68255-6_103.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Saalah, S., Saallah, S., Ra**, M., Yaser, A.Z. (2020). Management of Biodegradable Plastic Waste: A Review. In: Yaser, A. (eds) Advances in Waste Processing Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4821-5_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4821-5_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-15-4820-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-15-4821-5
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)