A Review of Biodegradable Plastics: Chemistry, Applications, Properties, and Future Research Needs
University of Wisconsin–Madison · University of Massachusetts Amherst · +3 more institutions
Abstract
Environmental concerns over waste plastics’ effect on the environment are leading to the creation of biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics may serve as a promising approach to manage the issue of environmental accumulation of plastic waste in the ocean and soil. Biodegradable plastics are the type of polymers that can be degraded by microorganisms into small molecules (e.g., H2O, CO2, and CH4). However, there are misconceptions surrounding biodegradable plastics. For example, the term “biodegradable” on product labeling can be misconstrued by the public to imply that the product will degrade under any environmental conditions. Such misleading information leads to consumer encouragement of excessive…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 42.62
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 217
Authors
9- MSMin Soo Kim
University of Wisconsin–Madison
- HCHochan Chang
University of Wisconsin–Madison
- LZLei Zheng
University of Massachusetts Amherst
- QYQiang Yan
University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- BFBrian F. Pfleger
University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
Topics & keywords
- Biodegradation
- Biodegradable polymer
- Biodegradable plastic
- Plastic waste
- Biochemical engineering
- Chemistry
- Plastics industry
- Waste management
- Life below water
Funding
- UDU.S. Department of Energy
- UDU.S. Department of Agriculture
- AVAlexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
- NINational Institute of Food and AgricultureAward: 13411165
- OOOffice of Science
- OOOffice of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- BABiological and Environmental ResearchAward: DE-SC0018420
- BTBioenergy Technologies OfficeAward: DEEE0009305
- OOOffice of Energy Efficiency