Bioplastics for a circular economy
TLDR
In this paper , the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy are assessed. But these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs.Abstract:
Bioplastics - typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers - stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy, in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Carbon-neutral energy is used for production and products are reused or recycled at their end of life (EOL). In this Review, we assess the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy. Compared with fossil-based plastics, bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint and exhibit advantageous materials properties; moreover, they can be compatible with existing recycling streams and some offer biodegradation as an EOL scenario if performed in controlled or predictable environments. However, these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the 'upcycling' of increasing volumes of heterogeneous plastic and bioplastic waste into higher-quality materials. To guide converters and consumers in their purchasing choices, existing (bio)plastic identification standards and life cycle assessment guidelines need revision and homogenization. Furthermore, clear regulation and financial incentives remain essential to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with truly sustainable impact. read more
Citations
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Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps
TL;DR: This review work aims to point out the current standards that can serve as a basis for the characterization of biopolymers’ biodegradation profile in different environments and identify other laboratory methodologies that have been adopted for the same purpose.
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A Review on Current Strategies for the Modulation of Thermomechanical, Barrier, and Biodegradation Properties of Poly (Butylene Succinate) (PBS) and Its Random Copolymers
TL;DR: The impact of plastics on the environment can be mitigated by employing biobased and/or biodegradable materials (i.e., bioplastics) instead of the traditional "commodities" as mentioned in this paper .
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Biowastes for biodegradable bioplastics production and end-of-life scenarios in circular bioeconomy and biorefinery concept.
Sameh S. Ali,Tamer Elsamahy,Esraa A. Abdelkarim,Rania Al-Tohamy,Michael Kornaros,Héctor A. Ruiz,Tong Zhao,Fang Chun Li,Jianzhong Sun +8 more
TL;DR: In this paper , an overview of the main biowastes valorization routes and main biodegradable bioplastic types of production, application, and bioregradability are discussed to achieve the transition to the circular economy.
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Agri-Food Wastes for Bioplastics: European Prospective on Possible Applications in Their Second Life for a Circular Economy
Annamaria Visco,C. Scolaro,Manuela Facchin,S. Brahimi,Hossem Belhamdi,Vanessa Gatto,Valentina Beghetto +6 more
TL;DR: In this article , the authors focus on the use of agri-food wastes either to produce building blocks for bioplastics manufacturing or biofillers to be mixed with other bioplastic materials.
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Engineering a sustainable future for point-of-care diagnostics and single-use microfluidic devices
Alfredo Edoardo Ongaro,Zibusiso Ndlovu,Elodie Sollier,Collins Odongo Otieno,Pascale Ondoa,A. D. Street,Maïwenn Kersaudy-Kerhoas +6 more
TL;DR: Common materials used in the manufacture of single-use point-of-care diagnostic tests are reviewed, the risks they pose to environmental and human health are examined, and replacement materials that can potentially reduce the impact of microfluidic devices on the production of harmful waste are investigated.
References
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