This study evaluates the options for replacing single-use plastics with biomaterial packaging, with a focus on plastic bags, foam food boxes, and plastic trays and cups, considering their volume of consumption and end-of-life management in 2020 as a base case. The effects of this replacement of plastics with biomaterials on water scarcity, energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the life cycle, and the reduction of waste mismanagement were also evaluated. The findings from the study reveal that an optimal approach to manufacturing biomaterials and managing their end-of-life phase can lower GHG emissions by 1980 kt CO2-eq per year, reduce landfill waste by 490 kt per year, and decrease mismanaged waste by 987 kt per year as compared to the 2020 baseline (conventional plastics). The use of biomaterials in packaging can be an effective way to decrease plastic waste and its related environmental impacts. The analysis of the study highlights the need for proper waste management, and policymakers should take into consideration the environmental impacts and resource security implications of bio-based packaging.
This paper characterizes the fungal and bacterial colonizers of 5 types of plastic films (High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate) throughout a 242-day incubation in the south-eastern Mediterranean and relates them to the chemical changes observed on the surface of the samples via ATR-FTIR. Neither bacterial nor fungal community structures were related[…]
This paper provides insights into the sustainable alternatives that can replace conventional plastic mulches, such as biodegradable mulches made from natural fibers and biopolymers. The microscopic and FTIR analyses conducted during the study showed the degradation of the fibers from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The nonwoven mulches provide higher[…]
This paper investigates the degradation of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) and traditional polyethylene (PE) plastic under two typical abiotic conditions: ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mechanical abrasion (MA) for up to nine months. The quantitative analysis of the degradation products was carried out using membrane filtration and total organic carbon determination (MF-TOCD). The results[…]
This paper identifies technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, and bioremediation as some of the approaches that are currently used for the mitigation of plastic pollution in Nigeria. This chapter also highlights the need to encourage, enhance, and disseminate scientific research on mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution in Nigeria. It concluded with[…]
This review provides insights into the sources of microplastics, the ecotoxicity of microplastics, and the impact microplastics have on aquatic and marine life, management, and bioremediation of microplastics. Policies and strategies adopted by the government to combat microplastic pollution are also discussed in this review. Microplastics tend to accumulate in many aquatic systems, contaminate them,[…]