Biodegradable Bags Properties Evaluation for Nursery Application (original) (raw)
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Plastics now has become one of the most commonly used material due to its easy handling but its non-biodegradable nature is arising serious environmental issues world-wide. It is high time to explore eco-friendly substitutes for different uses and new approaches in the research are needed to develop low cost ecofriendly alternatives. Polythene and its products have a broad-spectrum of utility in almost every walk of the life including their widespread use to raise plant propagules /seedlings in the nurseries. Although handling of polybags is suitable in field but at the same time their non-biodegradable nature also has adverse effects on the seedling growth. This paper reviews the scientific researches undertaken in different countries on constraints of nursery polybags, scope for ecofriendly substitutes, present scenario of biopolymer based ecofriendly substitutes and biodegradability concerns.
Baskent Congress, 2023
Plastic has caused a lot of wastes that don't degrade on disposal. This has caused a lot of environmental waste and hazard to both land and marine life. There is a need to look into use of biodegradable fillers (starch, charcoal) in the production of polyethylene disposable bags to aid degradation of the leather bags in the soil after use. Waste polyethylene bags were gathered from Kaduna Polytechnic restaurant and was compounded with different ratios of starch and charcoal (as a colorant) using castor oil as a compatibilizer to produce composites using compression molding method. Results showed a decrease in the Mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, impact strength as well as the density of the samples. The hardness strength improved with the addition of natural fillers. All samples absorbed water except the control sample 100% waste low density polyethylene in the water absorption test. The soil burial result showed that the higher the starch and charcoal content the higher the water absorption with the maximum absorption after 70 days. After 90 days samples B, C, D and E results recorded revealed a gradual weight loss pattern indicating the onset of degradation in the soil had occurred
Polímeros, 2013
Blends of starch/polyester have been of great interest in the development of biodegradable packaging. A method based on multiple responses optimisation (Desirability) was used to evaluate the properties of tensile strength, perforation force, elongation and seal strength of cassava starch/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blown films produced via a one-step reactive extrusion using tartaric acid (TA) as a compatibiliser. Maximum results for all the properties were set as more desirable, with an optimal formulation being obtained which contained (55:45) starch/PBAT (88.2 wt. (%)), glycerol (11.0 wt. (%)) and TA (0.8 wt. (%)). Biodegradable plastic bags were produced using the film with this formulation, and analysed according to the standard method of the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT). The bags exhibited a 45% failure rate in free-falling dart impact tests, a 10% of failure rate in dynamic load tests and no failure in static load tests. These results meet the specifications set by the standard. Thus, the biodegradable plastic bags fabricated with an optimised formulation could be useful as an alternative to those made from non-biodegradable materials if the nominal capacity declared for this material is considered.
Evaluation of biodegradability of plastics bags in composting conditions
Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S, 2014
Biodegradation of plastics bags advertised as 100%-degradable or certified as compostable was tested in composting conditions. Samples were placed into frames and inserted into one clamp within the compost pile to investigate the biodegradation. The plastics bags were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. The shopping bags were made of HDPE with the TDPA additive (sample 2), PP with an addition of pro-oxidants (d2w) (samples 1, 3) and materials certified as compostable (starch, polycaprolactone) (samples 4, 5, 6, 7). Control sample (cellulose filtering paper, sample 8) was to check the potential of biological decomposition in the tested environment. At the end of the 12-week experimental period it was found that the polyethylene samples with the additive (samples 1, 2, 3) had not been decomposed, their colour had not changed and that no degradation neither physical changes had occurred (did not biodegrade). Samples certified as compostable (samples 4, 5, 6, 7)...
Analysis of the Addition of CMC to Biodegradable Plastics from Banana Hump
Proceedings of International Conference on Multidiciplinary Research
The use of banana hump flour as a raw material for making biodegradable plastic is an alternative to using banana starch plastic in an effort to reduce plastic waste. Bananas contain 66% carbohydrates, protein, water and essential minerals. To get biodegradable plastic, starch is added along with CMC (carboxy methylcellulose), glycerol and citronella oil as anti-bacterial and antioxidant. In this research, a research was conducted on the manufacture of biodegradable plastic mixture of starch, carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), glycerol as a plasticizer and citronella oil by modifying CMC, glycerol and citronella oil. This study includes two variables, namely fixed variables and variable variables. Fixed variables include starch concentration with water 1:5, stirring speed 100 rpm and starch gelatinization temperature 70oC, while variables including CMC concentration include levels (5.5; 6.5 ; and 7.5) % (w/w), Citronella oil concentrations included (15; 20; and 25) % (w/v), and glycerol concentrations included (25; 35; and 45)% (w/v). This study aims to determine the effect of adding CMC citronella oil and glycerol as a plasticizer to the mechanical properties, morphology, and biodegradability tests , as well as the antioxidant activity of the resulting plastic. The results of this study indicate that biodegradable plastic has a tensile strength value of 0.210.38 kgf/mm2; elongation value between 16.3-54.20%; Morphological examination showed that the surface of the plastic was smooth and the plastic completely decomposed in the soil within 27 days.
Degradation of agricultural biodegradable plastics in the soil under laboratory conditions
Soil Research, 2016
Mulches, usually consisting of polyethylene films, are used in agriculture to improve production. The main drawback of using polyethylene is its extremely high stability. Removing it from the field is usually not feasible, and so wastes remain accumulating in the field and pollute the environment. As an alternative, five potentially biodegradable plastic films for mulching (maize thermoplastic starch–copolyester, cereal flour–copolyester, polylactic acid–copolyester, polyhydroxybutyrate, and potato thermoplastic starch–copolyester) were tested to evaluate their degradation in an agricultural soil. Polyethylene film was used as control. A soil burial test was carried out during 6 months under laboratory conditions and film weight loss, chemical changes and soil microbial activity were monitored. Weight loss was fastest for the polyhydroxybutyrate film, followed by potato thermoplastic starch–copolyester and cereal flour–copolyester. Maize thermoplastic starch–copolyester and polylact...
Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics for Use in Crop Production
Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculturee, 2011
The production and management of crops uses plastics for many applications (e.g., low tunnels, high tunnels, greenhouses, mulching, silage bags, hay bales, pheromone traps, coatings of fertilizers or pesticides or hormones or seeds, and nursery pots and containers for growing transplants). All these applications have led some authors to adopt the term "plasticulture" when discussing the use of plastic materials in agriculture and related industries. Unfortunately, the sustainability of this use of plastics is low, and renewability and degradability have become key words in the debate over sustainable production and utilization of plastic. Recently, researchers and the plastics industry have made strong efforts (i) to identify new biopolymers and natural additives from renewable sources that can be used in plastics production and (ii) to enhance the degradability (biological or physical) of the new ecologically sustainable materials. In the present review, we describe the main research results, current applications, patents that have been applied for in the last two decades, and future perspectives on sustainable use of plastics to support crop production. The article presents some promising patents on bio-based and biodegradable plastics for use in crop production.
Majalah Kulit, Karet, dan Plastik
Global problems associated with conventional, non-biodegradable plastics have urged the society to use more ecofriendly biodegradable plastics. In this study, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was co-compounded with cassava-based thermoplastic starch (TPS) to prepare biodegradable plastics (i.e. plastics that can be degraded by microbes), in which three different LLDPE/TPS ratios were studied. Acetic acid was used to hydrolyze the polysaccharides by breaking the branched amylopectin that causes the TPS-containing composites brittle and stiff. The biodegradation properties of the LLDPE/TPS composites were determined by observing the level of microbial growth on the sample surface after incubation with potato dextrose agar medium that was inoculated with Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger. Burial test in a humid composting medium was also performed to validate the biodegradation properties. The mass change (%) was calculated in relative to the initial mass before burial test. The physical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of the bioplastics were determined using universal testing machine before and after burial treatment. The morphology of the sample surface was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the microbial growth increases with increasing TPS content. Negative mass changes were observed on all samples that contain TPS, with increase in the magnitude with increasing TPS content. The tensile strength tends to increase in the first 28 days of burial period in a composting medium then decreases and plateaus, while the elongation at break decreases with increasing burial period. Moreover, samples that contain acetic acid showed less microbial attachment and less biodegradation compared to samples that does not contain acetic acid.
Repeated research of biodegradability of plastics materials in real composting conditions
Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2013
The aim of this paper was to verify information obtained by repeated research provide in 2011 and 2012 in real composting conditions and check information about biodegradability of plastics bags in real composting conditions. In both cases samples were placed into frames and inserted into one clamp within the compost pile to investigate the biodegradation. The plastics bags were obtained from chain stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. The shopping bags were made of HDPE with the TDPA additive (sample 2), PP with an addition of pro-oxidants (d 2 w) (sample 1, 3) and materials certifi ed as compostable (starch, polycaprolactone) (sample 4, 5, 6, 7). Control sample (cellulose fi ltering paper, sample 8) was to check the potential of biological decomposition in the tested environment. At the end of the 15-week experimental period it was found that the polyethylene samples with the additive (sample 1, 2, 3) had not been decomposed, their colour had not changed and that no degradation neither physical changes had occurred (did not biodegrade). Samples certifi ed as compostable (sample 4, 5, 6, 7) were decomposed. The results at the municipal compost facility demonstrate that the compostable plastics biodegrade and polyethylene samples with the additive did not biodegrade in compost. biodegradation, 100%-degradable bags, compostable bags, composting, real conditions verifi cation of research Address
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), 2022
In India, lignocellulosic wastes generated from wood-based industries on a large scale are still not utilized effectively. Beyond the conventional disposal strategies, there exists great scope for the utilization of these waste materials as a way to sustainability and economic well-being of the country. The developmental urge that occurred in the agricultural sector resulted in a series of environmental and plant growth impacts. The introduction and use of plastic plant polybag is such a faulty strategy that introduced to the agriculture sector. The environmental impacts from the use of plastic plant polybag have created a renewed interest in this field which mainly focused on sustainable agriculture ensuring environmental well-being and plant growth. This article reports the findings from our study on various easily available bio-wastes from a fibreboard unit of a large wood processing industry, which are used for developing biodegradable nursery polybags to deal with the environmental and other concerns regarding the employment of the plastic nursery polybags.