Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Misconceptions

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Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Misconceptions brings together innovative research on the biodegradability of conventional plastics, providing an extensive overview of approaches and strategies that may be implemented, while also highlighting other methods for alleviating the eventual environmental impact of plastics. The book begins by providing a lifecycle assessment of plastics, the environmental impact of plastic waste, and the factors that affect the biodegradability of plastics. The different categories and terminologies surrounding bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics are then defined and explained in detail, as are the issues surrounding bioplastics. Other sections discuss biodegradability, approaches for enhanced biodegradability of various major types of plastics, including polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), automotive plastics and composites, and agricultural plastic waste. The final part of the book focuses on further techniques and emerging areas, including the utilization of chemical additives, nanomaterials, the role of microbes in terms of microbial degradation and microbial attaching, revalorization of plastic waste through industrial biotechnology, and future opportunities and challenges. Cover Half Title Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics. Opportunities, Challenges, and Misconceptions Copyright About the editors Contents List of contributors 1. Life cycle assessment and environmental impact of plastic waste 2. Composition, properties and other factors influencing plastics biodegradability Introduction Microbial degradation of plastic materials Mechanisms of biodegradation Microorganisms involved in biodegradation Influence of plastic properties on biodegradation Influence of environmental and external parameters on plastic biodegradation Challenges and misconceptions Conclusions, knowledge gaps, and future research References 3. Bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, and degradation in natural environments Introduction Types of plastics Synthetic plastics Bioplastics Bioplastics classification Biobased nonbiodegradable plastics Fossil-based biodegradable plastic Biobased biodegradable plastic Bioplastics synthesized from bioderived monomers Bioplastics from microorganisms Bioplastics from biomass product Challenges of starch-based bioplastics Hydrophilicity Mechanical properties Processability of starch-based materials Solutions for starch-based bioplastic challenges Improvement in hydrophilic property Improvement in mechanical property Improved processability Thermal stability Problem statement Methodology Preparation of starch biobased plastic from banana peels Preparation of filler Degradation Types of degradation Conclusion References 4. Bioplastics overview: are bioplastics the panacea for our environmental woes? Introduction What are bioplastics? Could bioplastics tackle the issue of natural plastic accumulation? What are the likely environmental dangers of using bioplastics? What is the capacity for bioplastics to tackle pollution caused by conventional petroleum-based plastics? Disposable plastic items Agricultural application (biodegradable plastic mulch film) High-end market What are the opportunities and difficulties of using bioplastics? Conclusion References 5. Generation and impact of microplastics and nanoplastics from bioplastic sources Introduction Bioplastics: sources and sinks Bioplastics market Biobased polyethylene Biobased polypropylene Biobased polyethylene terephthalate Biobased polyvinyl chloride Polylactic acid Cellulose acetate Microplastics: sizes, forms, and manufacturing Nanoplastics Distribution of microplastics Aquatic environment Terrestrial environment Fate of microplastics and nanoplastics Quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics Visual sorting Spectroscopic techniques Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy Raman spectroscopy Thermal degradation Mitigation of microplastics and nanoplastics Health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics Knowledge gaps and key directions 6. Biodegradability of synthetic plastics: effective degradation mechanisms Introduction Market growth of synthetic polymers and challenges in degradation Synthetic polymers and biodegradation by microbial species Biodegradation of polyethylene Biodegradation of polystyrene Biodegradation of polyvinyl chloride Factors affecting the rate of biodegradation Role of enzymes in biodegradation Tests for assay of biodegradation of synthetic polymers Conclusion References Further reading 7. Biodegradability of polyolefins: Processes and procedures Introduction Oxo-biodegradation mechanism of polyolefins What is biodegradation? Biodegradation mechanism of polyolefins Enhanced polyolefin biodegradation Blending and mixing Blending polyolefins with natural biodegradable polymers Blending polyolefins with synthetic biodegradable polymers Additives and prooxidants Pretreating with external conditions Ultraviolet light High energy radiation Thermal treatment Chemical treatment Incorporation with polymer nanocomposites Introduction to microbes and microbial products Genetically modified microorganisms Programmed biodegradation and its consequences Future trends Conclusion References 8. Biodegradability and current status of polyethylene terephthalate Introduction Synthesis and properties of polyethylene terephthalate Polyethylene terephthalate: applications and environmental impact Mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate biodegradation Polyethylene terephthalate-degrading microorganisms Actinomycetes Algae Bacteria Fungi Ideonella sakaiensis—the polyethylene terephthalate specialist Polyethylene terephthalate-hydrolyzing enzymes Bioeconomy of polyethylene terephthalate biodegradation and bioproduction Recent advances in polyethylene terephthalate production and degradation Future prospects References 9. Biodegradability and bioremediation of polystyrene-based pollutants: An overview of biological degradation of polystyrene and modified polystyrene for future studies Introduction What are the forms of polystyrene? Why are polystyrene-based pollutants so hard to biodegrade? Biodegradability of polystyrene-a review of known methods Microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and archaea) in biodegradation Larvae in biodegradation Invertebrates in biodegradation Plastic depolymerizing enzymes Advantages and implications of PS biodegradation Future perspectives References 10. Biodegradability of Polyvinyl chloride Introduction Types and properties of PVC PVC waste and environmental challenges PVC disposal methods Physical treatment Chemical treatment Biological treatment Stages of PVC biodegradation Colonization Biodeterioration Biofragmentation Assimilation and mineralization Factors affecting PVC biodegradability PVC-degrading insects PVC-degrading microorganisms Bacteria Fungi PVC-degrading enzymes Conclusion and prospects References 11. Biodegradability of automotive plastics and composites Introduction Plastic pollution, an environmental health concern Plastic biodegradation challenges Remediation methods for plastics Plastics biodegradation Polypropylene Polyurethane Polyvinyl chloride Best practices for plastics biodegradation Biodegradation of plastics: steps and mechanism Biodeterioration Biofragmentation Assimilation Mineralization Factors affecting plastics biodegradation by microbes Polymer composites Biodegradation of polymer composites Future prospects Conclusion References 12. Biodegradability of agricultural plastic waste Introduction Issues and consequences of agricultural plastic waste Misunderstanding (Rujnić-Sokele & Pilipović, 2017) Indistinguishable nature (Razza & Innocenti, 2012) Uncontrolled burning of agricultural plastic waste (Briassoulis et al., 2013) High cost (Zheng et al., 2005) Infrastructure Analysis of agricultural plastic wastes Mapping of agricultural plastic wastes Management of plastic waste Source reduction Reduced packaging Product reuse Improved product durability Product safety associated with aesthetic pollution Inferior quality of life Physical and mental health issues Loss of the regional natural beauty Accidents Monetary losses Significance of managing plastic wastes Legal requirements Environmental impact Improved human health Customized commercial waste management services Advantages of biodegradable plastic Less waste sent to landfills or incinerators Reduced energy to manufacture 13. Utilization of chemical additives to enhance biodegradability of plastics Introduction Biodegradable plastic Chemical additives Biodegradation-promoting additives Accelerating degradation Inorganic oxo-degradation agents Organic prodegradation agents Blending with natural polymers Starch Chitosan Protein Reinforcement with natural fibers Scheme for allocating degradation agents Commercially available degradation-promoting additives Conclusions References 14. The role of nanomaterials in plastics biodegradability Introduction Environmental concerns for microplastics and nanoplastics Remediation techniques for plastic pollution Bioplastics: a new generation of polymers Types of bioplastics Polylactic acid Polyhydroxyalkanoate Limitations of bioplastics Biodegradation mechanism Biodegradation of plastics via microorganisms Biodegradation of plastics via nanomaterials Biodegradation of various polymers Degradation of polypropylene Photo- and thermal degradation of polypropylene Biodegradation of polypropylene Polyesters Photothermal degradation of polyethylene terephthalate Conclusion and future scope Acknowledgments References 15. Microbial attachment studies on “plastic-specific” microorganisms Introduction Background of plastics within the environment Biodegradation Microbial bioremediation of plastic Mechanisms of microbial biodegradation Biodeterioration Biofragmentation Bioassimilation and mineralization Microbial colonization on the plastic surface The fate of microbial carbon biomass resolution Plastic forms and microbial attachment bioremediation Bioplastics Starch-based bioplastics Polylactic acid bioplastics Aliphatic-based bioplastics Synthetic plastics Microplastics Bioremediation of marine-specific microplastics Characterization for biodegradation analysis Conclusion References 16. Plastic waste to plastic value: Role of industrial biotechnology Introduction Impact of plastic waste on the environment and human health Recycling plastic waste Primary recycling Secondary recycling Tertiary recycling Biological recycling Quaternary recycling Role of industrial biotechnology in plastic waste management Use of plastic waste as substrate for value-added products Challenges and prospects of industrial biotechnology Concluding remarks and future perspectives References 17. Future prospects for the biodegradability of conventional plastics Introduction Scope of biodegradation Biodegradation parameters Properties of degradation of polymers Impact of biopolymers Research on plastics degradation Industrial biodegradable polymers Biodegradable polymers as biosensors Outlook for plastics degradation Prospects for biopolymers Conclusion References Index A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R Cover back