CWE/1330/2019 当前世界环境 0973-4929 2320-8031 Enviro Research Publishers CWE--62-00 Bioplastics – An Eco-friendly Alternative to Petrochemical Plastics 1 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Department of Environmental Science, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Thanjavur, 614902, India. 10.12944/CWE.14.1.07 Volume 14 Volume 14 49-59 Abstract

Plastics have varied application and have become an essential part of our daily lives. The use of the plastics has increased twenty-fold in the past half-century and is expected to double again in the next 20 years. As a global estimate, around 330 million tonnes of the plastics are produced per annum. The production, use and disposal of the plastics emerged as a persistent and potential environmental nuisance. The improper disposal of the plastics ends up in our environment, resulting in the deaths of millions of animals annually and also the reduction in fertility status of the soil. The bioplastics products are manufactured to be biodegradable with similar functionality to that of conventional plastics, which has the potential to reduce the dependence on petrochemicals based plastics and related environmental problems. The expansion and development of the bioplastics and their products would lead to the increase in the sustainability of environment and reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. The bioplastics innovation would be a key to the long-term solution for the plastic pollution. However, a widespread public awareness is also essential in effecting longer-term change against plastic pollution.

关键字 Bioplastics 可生物降解的 Biobased Biopolymers Environment Waste Management