Physico-mechanical and water absorption properties of LDPE/cassava starch film

Plastic waste is a global crisis, and Malaysia is the 8th worst country worldwide for plastic waste. With this trend, growing market demands for green product have imposed pressure on industries to find an alternative to petroleum-based plastic. Degradable plastic is introduced to overcome this limitation. The present work investigates degradable plastic film of low-density polyethylene incorporated with cassava starch (LDPE-CS). The compounding of the LDPE-CS was prepared via pre-mixing, blending, resin crushing, and film hot pressing. Film thickness, tensile strength, elongation, water absorption, and field test were conducted on the LDPE-CS and commercial LDPE (control). Experimental data of LDPE-CS and commercial LDPE films were evaluated and compared. Thickness of LDPE-CS film was 0.18 mm which was 51% thicker than the control film. Tensile strength and elongation of the LDPE-CS were 7.04 MPa and 5.39%, while control film was 12.77 MPa and 921.5%, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation of the LDPE-SC were significantly lower than the control film, which may be due to the weak interface between LDPE and starch. The water absorption test revealed that the LDPE-CS film absorbed water by 4.8%, which indicates its degradability in the water. The field test shows that the LDPE-CS is biodegradable and comparable with the commercial plant polybag in terms of its capability in planting.

Research Progress on Degradation and Market Dynamics of PBAT

At present, the massive use of traditional plastics which are very hard to degrade and hereinafter referred to as non-degradable plastics has caused serious pollution problems, which has a harmful effect on the environment and human health. Up to now, many countries have enacted strict policies and regulations to limit the use of non-degradable plastics, polyadipate/butanediol terephthalate (PBAT), as a kind of degradable plastic, has drawn more and more attention. In this paper, research progress on the degradation of PBAT is reviewed and the market dynamics of PBAT are introduced. In the next few years, the global capacity of PBAT is surging and is mainly concentrated in China. The prospect of PBAT is discussed which may provide a reference for PBAT producers.

Pengembangan Kemasan Zero Plastic serta Label Sehat-Halal Produk Tahu dan Tempe

Purpose: Home industry of tahu and tempe products plays a role in developing economic growth, especially in Bandarlampung City, Indonesia. However, its non-degradable plastic packaging creates harmful environmental effects. In line with this, certified halal-healthy labeling required by Muslim consumers. Therefore, this community service aimed to help the tahu and tempe entrepreneurs in Gunung Sulah Village, Bandarlampung city to know, be aware, and understand the role of zero plastics packaging and certified halal-healthy labeling through training and coaching program. Method: The method used is training and coaching, and then followed by monitoring and evaluation. Results: The results show that knowledge, awareness, and understanding insights of the tahu tempe entrepreneurs increase after joining the training and coaching programs. Conclusion: The entrepreneurs need the alternative zero plastic packagings and are aware that certified halal-healthy labeling is essential to show in the packaging so that the market extends to the modern market; consequently, market share and competitive advantage can improve.

Versatile Applications of Degradable Plastic

In the last 50 years, plastics has become a favorite industry for packaging materials for their ease of manufacture and excellent performance. The advancement of food, electronics, automobile, medical and agricultural industries has increased the demand for packaging and casing materials made of large hydrocarbon polymers. Since plastics show resistance to biodegradation, they pose considerable threats to the environment. Degradable plastics and biopolymers offer promising solutions to this problem. Degradable plastics can be easily absorbed in the environment while exhibiting the properties of conventional plastics. There are three types of biopolymers according to their source: biomass extracted polymers, synthesized from microorganisms and produced from bio-derived monomers. Biodegradable plastics are commonly used in one-off packaging such as crockery, food service containers and cutlery. Although biodegradable plastics can replace conventional plastics in a lot of applications, their performance and cost are sometimes problematic. This chapter analyses the growth of the degradable plastic industry and explores their potential applications.

Degradable Plastic Recycling

The public demand of plastics for food, drinks, consumable and packaging is increasing enormously all over the world. Due to limited available plastic resources, it is challenging to meet the stipulation of the massive population. The contribution of the synthetic plastic industry is encouraging to cope with these challenges. However, it is not only restricted towards production, but the degradation of its waste is also equally arduous and even more complicated to a large extent. A useful solution to this problem is recycling instead of degradation. In order to optimize the utility of recycling, various techniques are in progress. Plastic recycling is an acceptable technique to keep the economy in circulation. Moreover, it is an effective way to reduce the environmental pollution and to promote green environment.

Overview of the Degradable Plastic Market

Degradable plastic manufacturing has emerged as an eminent industry due to multiple range of products it offers to the consumers. The diversity induced by the usage of biomaterials lures the customer, making it even more popular for consumption. Degradable plastic industry is a market of multifarious products. The backlash on the massive plastics consumption is expected to be eradicated in the wake of the large business market of degradable plastics in the coming years. The supremacy of the degradable plastic market is not easy to evade by any means. The degradable plastic market is not a solitary market; instead, it encompasses the production, consumption and recycling industry as well. In order to triumph the status of a flourished market a joint venture by the leading companies need to be in harmony. The circular economy of the world is indispensable without a degradable plastic market in future.

Sources of macro and micro-plastics contamination of agricultural fields in Rwanda

<p>Worldwide, there is intensive plastic waste accumulation in soil, agricultural fields, and water bodies. Focus has been on oceans and aquatic environments, but recently, plastic accumulation into terrestrial ecosystem is getting attention. In many sub-tropical countries plastic wastes are being buried or disposed in open landfills without proper environmental management. In Rwanda, despite efforts undertaken by the Government to control use of non-degradable plastic bags, plastic wastes dumped into open landfills continue to be redistributed within the landscape through soil erosion processes, which presents a risk of contamination of agricultural fields, water reservoirs and groundwater ecosystems. There is a strong lack of knowledge on possible pathways of (micro-) plastics into the terrestrial environment. This study identified and evaluated the use and source of plastic material in agricultural fields around landfills in three study sites in Rwanda: Kicukiro, Rwamagana, and Muhanga villages through survey  questionnaires. A total of 1,240 households (HHs) were surveyed. The Kicukiro landfill, near the capital, was established before 1994 and closed between 2011-2014, while the landfills of Muhanga and Rwamagana were established between 2006 and 2017. Results revealed that in rural areas (Muhanga and Rwamagana) most respondents do not use plastic bags (Muhanga 63% and Rwamagana 76.9%) compared to urban areas like Kicukiro where a high rate (64.3%) of respondents still use plastic bags, which were easily available from local (super)markets, according to 45.5% of the respondents. Most interviewees in all study sites ignore if the plastic materials that they are using are degradable or not. Results revealed also that the majority of respondents are aware of the impact of using plastic bags (Kicukiro: 77.6%; Muhanga: 60.5%; and Rwamagana: 62%), and they also confirmed that they would not use plastic bags even if the government would not punish people using these (Kicukiro: 78.8%; Muhanga: 74.8%; and Rwamagana: 81.8%).</p><p>Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the most influential variables, and results revealed that respondents are aware of the impacts of using plastic bags on the environment with high significance. Furthermore, also a strong correlation was found between the study sites, and plastics wastes eroded during high rainfall events and causing environmental problems in surrounding areas located near the landfill. Results showed that the education level is correlated negatively to the use of plastics bags and the age of respondents. Environmental policies on plastic ban should be reinforced for improving the strategies of controlling plastic bags from neighboring countries to overcome the use of non-degradable plastic bags. There is a high need from the country to teach its population through differnt educational programs so that they can improve their level of knowledge and awareness and risks of using non degradable plastic bags. </p>