Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics

CHAPTER 1 Life cycle assessment and environmental impact of plastic waste

Introduction
Life cycle assessment
Definition of life cycle assessment
Fate of plastics in the environment
Movement of plastic trash: from land to aquatic ecosystem
Effect of plastic dumping on aquatic ecosystem
Environmental impact of various plastic products
Major repercussions of plastic waste
Global production of plastics and generation of waste
Management of plastic wastes
Recommendations to reduce and control plastic wastes
Future directions and recommendations
Conclusions
References

CHAPTER 2 Composition, properties and other factors influencing plastics biodegradability

Introduction
Microbial degradation of plastic materials
Mechanisms of biodegradation
Microorganisms involved in biodegradation
The plastisphere and future possibilities
Plastic-degrading enzymes
Influence of plastic properties on biodegradation
Polymeric composition
Molecular properties
Additive chemicals
Influence of environmental and external parameters on plastic biodegradation
Temperature
Salinity and pH
Dissolved oxygen
Pressure
Sunlight and UV exposure
Moisture and humidity
Fragmentation and transport of polymers in the marine environment
Adsorption of pollutants to plastic debris
Biodegradation potentials in marine environments
Marine micro- and macrofauna involved in plastic degradation
Ghost fishing
Challenges and misconceptions
Conclusions, knowledge gaps, and future research
References

CHAPTER 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
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

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 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
Conclusion
References

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 7 Biodegradability of polyolefins: Processes and procedures

Introduction
Oxo-biodegradation mechanism of polyolefins
What is biodegradation?
Enhanced polyolefin biodegradation
Blending and mixing
Pretreating with external conditions
Incorporation with polymer nanocomposites
Introduction to microbes and microbial products
Genetically modified microorganisms
Programmed biodegradation and its consequences
Future trends
Conclusion
References

CHAPTER 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 sakaiensisdthe 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

CHAPTER 9 Biodegradability and bioremediation of polystyrene-based pollutants

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

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 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
Factors affecting plastics biodegradation by microbes
Polymer composites
Biodegradation of polymer composites
Future prospects
Conclusion
References

CHAPTER 12 Biodegradability of agricultural plastic waste

Introduction
Issues and consequences of agricultural plastic waste
Misunderstanding
Indistinguishable nature
Uncontrolled burning of agricultural plastic waste
High cost
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
Fewer harmful substances released during breakdown
Conclusion
References

CHAPTER 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
Reinforcement with natural fibers
Scheme for allocating degradation agents
Commercially available degradation-promoting additives
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References

CHAPTER 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
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

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 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
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

CHAPTER 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