Sustainable polymers have attracted interest due to their ability to biodegrade under specific conditions in soil, compost, and the marine environment; however, they have comparatively lower mechanical properties, limiting their widespread use. This study explores the effect of incorporating waste soy biomass into sustainable polymers (including biodegradable and biobased) on the thermal and mechanical properties of the resultant blends. The dispersion of the waste soy biomass in the polymer matrix is also investigated in relation to particle size (17 mu m vs. 1000 mu m). Fine waste soy biomass did not significantly affect the melting temperature of the polymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate/poly(lactic) acid, and biobased linear low-density polyethylene) used in this study, but their enthalpy of fusion decreased after soy was melt-blended with the polymers. The tensile modulus of the polymers filled with fine waste soy biomass powder (17 mu m) was enhanced when melt-blended as compared to unfilled polymers. Additionally, it was found that fine waste soy powder (17 mu m) increased the tensile modulus of the polymer blends without significantly affecting processability, while coarse waste soy meal (1000 mu m) generally reduced elongation at break due to poor dispersion and stress concentration; however, this effect was less pronounced in PHA blends, where improved compatibility was observed.

Herin, a biodegradable bioplastic composite packaging film was prepared by utilizing bamboo powder partially in replace of plastic. Bamboo powder lignocellulose and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) resin granules were mixed together with certain percentage to form bamboo-plastic complex, and then through hotpressed to obtain the bamboo/PBAT bioplastic composite films. The effect of bamboo powder content on overall properties of the composite film was systematically investigated. Results showed that the addition of bamboo powder could greatly improve the mechanical properties of composite films, especially the tensile strength and elastic modulus increased by 18.90 %, 251.58 %, respectively. Besides, the bioplastic composite film exhibited superior water resistance including the high water contact angle value of 108.13 degrees, low water absorption rate (2.38 %), and water absorption thickness expansion rate (1.08 %) with 10.0 % bamboo powder content. Notably, the enhanced bonding between bamboo powder and PBAT contributed to the excellent gas barrier performance (1.48 x 10- 2 cm3 & sdot;m/(m2 & sdot;24 h & sdot;0.1 MPa)). With the increase of bamboo powder addition, the melt flow rate of the composite was increased, indicating the improved processing performance. More importantly, the bamboo/PBAT bioplastic composite film showed good packaging preservation ability for strawberry and excellent biodegradability in soil, presenting feasible and green alternatives to biodegradable plastic food packaging material.

The extensive use of petroleum-based plastics has resulted in critical energy and environmental challenges, driving the pursuit of sustainable and biodegradable bioplastics as ideal alternatives. However, the development of functional bioplastics with superior mechanical strength, water stability, and thermal stability remains a formidable challenge. Herein, inspired by the nacre, a cellulose-based bioplastic was designed with a unique layered architecture and enhanced interfacial interactions,achieved through the self-assembly of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and nano-montmorillonite, while simultaneously forming a chemically and physically double-crosslinked network under the action of TiO2 nanoparticles and citric acid. The resulting bioplastic demonstrated excellent mechanical performance, with the tensile strength reaching 106.83 MPa, representing a 220.09 % improvement over pure CMC-based bioplastic and surpassing the tensile strength of other CMC-based films. Alongside mechanical prowess, it exhibited exceptional water resistance (water absorption reduced to 42.88 %), thermal stability and UV shielding. Furthermore, it was biodegradable and environmentally benign, capable of achieving complete degradation in the soil within three months. This biomimetic strategy provided a novel approach for developing competitive cellulose-based bioplastics, offering a promising alternative to petroleum-derived plastics for everyday applications.

The production of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has expanded recently in the US. Limited agronomic knowledge and supply chain issues, however, stemming from a long-standing cultivation ban, pose a barrier to continued market expansion of hemp, which leads to the import of most hemp products. This review examines the most recent cultivation methods, fertilizer and nutrient requirements, soil management practices, environmental parameters, and post-harvest processing methods, particularly in the context of environmental benefits such as soil phytoremediation and CO2 sequestration. Details of the valorization of hemp biomass into sustainable products, such as fibers, papers, packaging, textiles, biocomposites, biofuels, biochar, and bioplastics, along with current limitations and scope for improvements, are explored. Finally, an overall summary of the life cycle and techno-economic analysis aimed at optimizing their environmental performance and economic feasibility are discussed with a focus on inter with the growing circular economy paradigm.

The increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic waste, especially in agriculture, have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. Agricultural plastics, such as mulching films and greenhouse covers, are heavily reliant on petrochemical-derived materials, which persist in the environment and contribute to long-term pollution. This study explores the use of biodegradable biocomposites made from steam explosion-treated chicken feathers and various polymer matrices to address these issues. Chicken feathers, a waste by-product of the poultry industry, present an excellent biodegradability as a result of the steam explosion treatment and contain nitrogen, potentially enhancing soil fertility. The biocomposites were characterized by thermal stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability, and ecotoxicity assessments were carried out studying the incorporation of feathers into the soil. Results showed that the incorporation of treated chicken feathers increased the water absorption capacity of the composites, promoting faster disintegration and biodegradation. In particular, biocomposites made with polyhydroxyalkanoates and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) exhibited a significant increase in degradation rates, from 3-10% in the first month for pure matrices to 40-50% when reinforced with treated feathers. Meanwhile, those made from polylactic acid showed slower degradation. Furthermore, the addition of feathers positively influenced crop growth at low concentrations, acting as a slow-release fertilizer. However, high concentrations of feathers negatively affect plant growth due to excess nitrogen. These findings highlight the potential of poultry feathers as a valuable, sustainable filler for agricultural bioplastics, contributing to waste valorization and environmentally friendly farming practices.

Population explosion in recent years has driven the environment to overuse nondegradable substances. Microbial polyesters known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are generated and retained as cytoplasmic granules in microorganisms with restricted nutritional availability and can be used to manufacture bioplastics. The current study attempts to screen soil isolates for PHA production and optimize their media parameters. Among all the isolates, 17 were identified and confirmed by Sudan black staining, as they are screening for PHA production and are identified by their colony characteristics. The isolation of the most promising strain, GS-14, was achieved through the sodium hypochlorite method, and subsequent quantification involved establishing a standard curve of crotonic acid. Notably, isolate GS-14 presented the highest yield, which was determined by extrapolating its data onto the standard curve. Characterization of the PHA polymer was subsequently performed, and the results were used to discern its properties. FTIR confirmed characteristic PHA absorption bands, with a prominent C = O stretching peak at 1732 cm(-)(1). LC-MS detected a molecular mass of 641.6 g/mol, indicative of an oligomeric species, while the actual polymer molecular weight is estimated between 5,000 and 20,000 Da. DSC revealed an exothermic peak at 174 degrees C, allowing the calculation of crystallinity, a key determinant of mechanical properties. Furthermore, the PHA-producing organism was identified as Bacillus australimaris through the sequencing of 16 S ribosomal RNA. The media optimization was performed via Minitab software, with statistical analyses employed to interpret the resulting data comprehensively.

This study introduces biodegradable nursery bags using poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a widely used biodegradable polymer, and spent coffee grounds (SCGs), a byproduct of the brewing process in the coffee industry. SCGs were oil-extracted to produce extracted spent coffee grounds (exSCGs), which were characterized by their physical properties, chemical functionality, and thermal behavior. The exSCGs were blended with PLA at loadings of 5, 10, and 15 wt%. Analysis showed that exSCGs retained 3-5 wt% residual coffee oil, exhibiting a lower surface area (1.1163 m(2)/g) compared to SCGs (1.5010 m(2)/g), along with a higher pore volume (1.148 x 10(-3) cm(3)/g) and pore size (similar to 410 nm). All PLA/exSCG bio-composite films displayed a light brown color, well-dispersed exSCG particles, and excellent UV light barrier properties, with transmittance reduced to 1-2%. The residual coffee oil acted as a plasticizer, reducing the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, and crystallinity with increasing exSCG content. Mechanical testing revealed enhanced flexibility compared to neat PLA. Soil burial tests showed increased biodegradability with higher exSCG content, supported by SEM analysis revealing cracks around exSCG particles. The PLA/exSCG blend containing 10 wt% exSCGs exhibited optimal performance, with a significant increase in melt flow index (from 4.22 to 8.17 g/10 min) and approximately double the melt strength of neat PLA, balancing processability and mechanical properties. This innovation provides a sustainable alternative to plastic nursery bags, addressing waste valorization and promoting eco-friendly material development for agricultural applications.

This research explores the synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for the development of a cost-effective bioplastic film that can serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastic. Replacing plastic packaging with CMC-based films offers a solution for mitigating environmental pollution, although the inherent hydrophilicity and low mechanical strength of CMC present significant challenges. To address these limitations, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were employed as a biocompatible and non-toxic reinforcement filler to improve CMC's properties. A solution casting method which incorporated varying concentrations of ZnO NPs (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) into the CMC matrix allowed for the preparation of composite bioplastic films, the physicochemical properties of which were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that the ZnO NPs were well-integrated into the CMC matrix, thereby improving the film's crystallinity, with a significant shift from amorphousness to the crystalline phase. The uniform dispersion of ZnO NPs and the development of hydrogen bonding between ZnO and the CMC matrix resulted in enhanced mechanical properties, with the film CZ20 exhibiting the greatest tensile strength-15.12 +/- 1.28 MPa. This film (CZ20) was primarily discussed and compared with the control film in additional comparison graphs. Thermal stability, assessed via thermogravimetric analysis, improved with an increasing percentage of ZnO Nps, while a substantial decrease in water vapor permeability and oil permeability coefficients was observed. In addition, such water-related properties as water contact angle, moisture content, and moisture absorption were also markedly improved. Furthermore, biodegradability studies demonstrated that the films decomposed by 71.43% to 100% within 7 days under ambient conditions when buried in soil. Thus, CMC-based eco-friendly composite films have the clear potential to become viable replacements for conventional plastics in the packaging industry.

The increasing issue of plastic waste necessitates improved solutions, and biodegradable food packaging is a promising alternative to traditional plastic. In this study, we prepared packaging films using cassava starch (CV), chitosan (CT) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with glycerol as a plasticizer. However, these films require modifications to enhance their mechanical properties. Therefore, we modified the films by adding vanillin as the crosslinking agent and gingerol extract stabilized silver nanoparticles. The films were fabricated using the filmcasting method and characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, mechanical property test, biodegradability test, antibacterial test and food packaging evaluation test. Among these films, CT/CV/V/CMC/Gin-AgNPs1 exhibited superior mechanical properties and demonstrated excellent anti-bacterial property both for gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria and biodegradability, losing over 50% of its weight after 21 days of burial in soil and effectively preserved grapes at 4 degrees C for 21 days.

This paper offers a comprehensive review of previous studies and articles on international standards and certification criteria for biodegradable plastics. It highlights key insights into the biodegradation environment and certification processes for these materials. As various countries and organizations intensify research efforts on biodegradable plastics, certification standards for biodegradability are evolving and expanding. This trend is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping international standards. Nonetheless, several challenges persist, including the absence of universally recognized testing methods, inconsistencies between real-world and laboratory biodegradation conditions, and a lack of clear definitions and standardized criteria. Above all, establishing international standards is critical to advancing biodegradable plastics as a viable alternative to conventional plastics.