Page 47 - Plastics News June 2024

FEATURE NEWS

waste sent to landfills but also repur- ity of this innovative recycling method. highlights the potential for such inno-
poses it into useful products. Looking By turning plastic waste into functional vative recycling solutions to contribute
forward, the researchers advocate for paving blocks, this study provides a significantly to environmental sustain-
the optimization of the conversion pro- promising path forward in the global ability.
cess to further minimize energy con- effort to tackle plastic pollution and Source – Plastic Engineering
sumption and enhance the sustainabil-

Transforming Food Packaging: The Shift to Biopolymers?

tive

Biopolymers are emerging as a viable
solution to the problems posed by
synthetic polymers. These naturally
degradable materials, derived from
renewable sources, include natural
biopolymers, synthetic biodegradable
polymers, and microbial polyesters.
Starch-based biopolymers, for exam-
ple, are increasingly used in food pack-
aging due to their biodegradability and
reduced environmental footprint. They
are being developed to overcome natu-
ral limitations such as brittleness and
permeability, enhancing their applica-
tion in various industries, particularly
in packaging.
Advancements in Nanotechnology
The integration of nanotechnology into
food packaging introduces properties
like improved mechanical resistance,
thermal stability, and antimicrobial
activity. Nanoparticles can also enable
the packaging to detect and signal bio-
chemical changes in food, enhancing
ife cycle assessment (LCA) propylene, and polystyrene, however, safety and quality during the product’s
has emerged as a key tool are not easily degradable and contrib- shelf life. These innovations not only
for analyzing the environ- ute significantly to global waste issues. improve the functionality of packag-
mental impact of plastics, According to Jalal Sadeghizadeh-Yaz- ing but also its environmental per-
leading to a growing interest in biopol- di’s study published in the Journal of formance by potentially reducing the
ymers as a sustainable alternative. Nutrition and Food Security, the envi- amount of material used and enhanc-
Food packaging serves critical func- ronmental and economic costs of food ing recyclability.
tions in maintaining food safety and waste amount to approximately $2.6 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Pack-
extending shelf life by protecting prod- trillion annually, including associated aging
ucts from moisture, microorganisms, greenhouse gas emissions which ac-
and external contaminants. Traditional count for 6.8% of global emissions. LCA plays a crucial role in evaluating
materials such as polyethylene, poly- Biopolymers: A Sustainable Alterna- the environmental impacts of packag-

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PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS
June 2024