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P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
with polybutylene adipate, polycaprolactone, polyglycolic acid, and polypropylene
carbonate can considered as the fourth category (Robertson 2013; Siracusa 2016).
Recently biopolymers stemming from the waste streams generated during agroindustrial processing have emerged as suitable candidates for playing the role of
potential carrier. They also present a double benefit through the promotion of sustainable raw materials but also limit the health impact of synthetic plastics as color additives, BPA entry into the food, thereby limiting the use, disposal and accumulation
of conventional plastics in the environment (Jose et al. 2019). Nanocellulosic fibers
are promising biopolymers which are advantages in all aspects of sustainability.
These materials are mostly suitable for food packaging, medical and pharmaceutical
packaging, industrial packaging and other potential areas.
Sustainable packaging materials from biopolymers are effective in minimal waste
generation (Davis and Song 2006; Lavoine et al. 2014), maximum functionality
(Moon et al. 2011) and are proven to be cost effective (Khalil et al. 2012). These
materials exhibit efficiency in maximizing product packaging ratio and materials
used and are environmental friendly in terms of recyclability (Abou-Yousef et al.
2005; Davis and Song 2006; Khalil et al. 2014), reusability and biodegradability
(Moon et al. 2011). The biopolymer based packaging materials minimize airborne
and waterborne emission to the environment, minimize green house gas emission
and reduce toxicity and litter impacts (Khalil et al. 2014).
6 Composting and Disposal of Biodegradable Packaging
Materials
The compositions of sustainable packaging material are very different from conventional one and are designed to degrade after use hence they are generally considered
unsuitable for the conventional plastics recycling methods. These are however more
suitable for composting advantageously as a form of materials recovery (European
Plastics News 2001). The various compositions of packing material derived from
biopolymers have various stages of biodegradability or recyclability and these varies
from one material to another. Though all biopolymers are generally unsuitable for
recycling once biodegradation has been triggered as these materials vary significantly
in biodegradability and they may or may not be readily compostable. Another issue
is that the biodegradable packaging is generally unsuitable for landfill (due to the
requirements of Article 5 of the EU Landfill Directive seeking to reduce biodegradable materials sent to landfill because of their propensity to release methane under
anaerobic conditions) or conventional recycling. Though there is no clear reason
as to why biodegradable packaging materials cannot be collected with other plastic
packaging for incineration, the growth in biodegradable plastics complicates the
identification and sorting process due to its similaylty with conventional plastic.
These materials contain reasonable GCV and do not produce hazardous emissions.
P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
with polybutylene adipate, polycaprolactone, polyglycolic acid, and polypropylene
carbonate can considered as the fourth category (Robertson 2013; Siracusa 2016).
Recently biopolymers stemming from the waste streams generated during agroindustrial processing have emerged as suitable candidates for playing the role of
potential carrier. They also present a double benefit through the promotion of sustainable raw materials but also limit the health impact of synthetic plastics as color additives, BPA entry into the food, thereby limiting the use, disposal and accumulation
of conventional plastics in the environment (Jose et al. 2019). Nanocellulosic fibers
are promising biopolymers which are advantages in all aspects of sustainability.
These materials are mostly suitable for food packaging, medical and pharmaceutical
packaging, industrial packaging and other potential areas.
Sustainable packaging materials from biopolymers are effective in minimal waste
generation (Davis and Song 2006; Lavoine et al. 2014), maximum functionality
(Moon et al. 2011) and are proven to be cost effective (Khalil et al. 2012). These
materials exhibit efficiency in maximizing product packaging ratio and materials
used and are environmental friendly in terms of recyclability (Abou-Yousef et al.
2005; Davis and Song 2006; Khalil et al. 2014), reusability and biodegradability
(Moon et al. 2011). The biopolymer based packaging materials minimize airborne
and waterborne emission to the environment, minimize green house gas emission
and reduce toxicity and litter impacts (Khalil et al. 2014).
6 Composting and Disposal of Biodegradable Packaging
Materials
The compositions of sustainable packaging material are very different from conventional one and are designed to degrade after use hence they are generally considered
unsuitable for the conventional plastics recycling methods. These are however more
suitable for composting advantageously as a form of materials recovery (European
Plastics News 2001). The various compositions of packing material derived from
biopolymers have various stages of biodegradability or recyclability and these varies
from one material to another. Though all biopolymers are generally unsuitable for
recycling once biodegradation has been triggered as these materials vary significantly
in biodegradability and they may or may not be readily compostable. Another issue
is that the biodegradable packaging is generally unsuitable for landfill (due to the
requirements of Article 5 of the EU Landfill Directive seeking to reduce biodegradable materials sent to landfill because of their propensity to release methane under
anaerobic conditions) or conventional recycling. Though there is no clear reason
as to why biodegradable packaging materials cannot be collected with other plastic
packaging for incineration, the growth in biodegradable plastics complicates the
identification and sorting process due to its similaylty with conventional plastic.
These materials contain reasonable GCV and do not produce hazardous emissions.