Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastic Materials: Life Cycle Assessment

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

  • 190 Accesses

Abstract

The involvement of bio-based and biodegradable materials in material formations is meant to foster cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) with minimal or zero impact on the environment. Life cycle assessment of bio-based materials is crucial in the long-term sustainability of materials taking into consideration future reclamation and degradable components of materials. Application of materials in structural and part formation has been expanded to accommodate bio-based and biodegradable plastics with different outlooks. What is more interesting is the ongoing research works targeted at plant fiber devoid of environmental setbacks. Climate change and future retention of environment are key driving forces making manufacturers pushing toward green materials that are self-biodegradable. In several papers, findings have shown that some of these biodegradable-based plastics are resilient in term of their production, while the use of bio-based plastics in part formation is generally advantageous in terms of saving fossil energy and reducing GHG emissions. In order to appraise the significant contribution of bio-based plastics in environmental stability, this chapter is expected to discuss critical components of biodegradable plastic that are peculiar to environmental sustainability and future materials formation. It is also expected in this chapter to holistically review new materials that are 100% recyclable while future works are geared toward green materials with fuel efficiency and environmental serenity. The authors also portray processes that can eliminate difficulty in the bioplastic recycling that are of substantial sources to environmentally friendly materials. Part of the selection criteria revolves around their minimization to GHG emissions, reduction in the acidification of soil, and the depletion of stratospheric ozone. Part of the integral portion of this work dwells on the variation in the energy requirements necessary for effective mitigation of greenhouse gases. Discussion was also centered on the novel plastic production and their evolving challenges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Weiss M, Haufe J, Carus M, Brandão M, Bringezu S, Hermann B et al (2012) A review of the environmental impacts of biobased materials. J Ind Ecol 16:S169–S181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Adekomaya O, Jamiru T, Sadiku R, Huan Z (2016) A review on the sustainability of natural fiber in matrix reinforcement – a practical perspective. J Reinf Plast Compos 35:3–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Palm E, Nilsson LJ, Åhman M (2016) Electricity-based plastics and their potential demand for electricity and carbon dioxide. J Clean Prod 129:548–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Adekomaya O, Jamiru T, Sadiku R, Huan Z (2017) Minimizing energy consumption in refrigerated vehicles through alternative external wall. Renew Sust Energ Rev 67:89–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Adekomaya O, Jamiru T, Sadiku R, Huan Z, Sulaiman M (2016) Gas flaring and its impact on electricity generation in Nigeria. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 29:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Adekomaya O, Ojo K (2016) Adaptation of plastic waste to energy development in Lagos: an overview assessment. Niger J Technol 35:778–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Adekomaya O, Jamiru T, Sadiku R, Huan Z (2017) Negative impact from the application of natural fibers. J Clean Prod 143:843–846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Adekomaya O, Jamiru T, Sadiku ER, Adediran AA (2018) Sustainability of high temperature polymeric materials for electronic packaging applications. Appl Sci Eng Prog 11:217–224

    Google Scholar 

  9. Biswas P, Wu C-Y (2005) Nanoparticles and the environment. J Air Waste Manage Assoc 55:708–746

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ren X (2003) Biodegradable plastics: a solution or a challenge? J Clean Prod 11:27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Mayer F, Bhandari R, Gäth S (2019) Critical review on life cycle assessment of conventional and innovative waste-to-energy technologies. Sci Total Environ 672:708–721

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lambert S, Wagner M (2017) Environmental performance of bio-based and biodegradable plastics: the road ahead. Chem Soc Rev 46:6855–6871

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Rigamonti L, Grosso M, Møller J, Martinez Sanchez V, Magnani S, Christensen TH (2014) Environmental evaluation of plastic waste management scenarios. Resour Conserv Recycl 85:42–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. La Mantia F, Morreale M (2011) Green composites: a brief review. Compos A: Appl Sci Manuf 42:579–588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Abila N (2014) Managing municipal wastes for energy generation in Nigeria. Renew Sust Energ Rev 37:182–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Afon AO (2007) Informal sector initiative in the primary sub-system of urban solid waste management in Lagos, Nigeria. Habitat Int 31:193–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Al-Salem SM, Lettieri P, Baeyens J (2009) Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): a review. Waste Manag 29:2625–2643

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Couth R, Trois C (2011) Waste management activities and carbon emissions in Africa. Waste Manag 31:131–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gug J, Cacciola D, Sobkowicz MJ (2015) Processing and properties of a solid energy fuel from municipal solid waste (MSW) and recycled plastics. Waste Manag 35:283–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Vasudevan R, Ramalinga Chandra Sekar A, Sundarakannan B, Velkennedy R (2012) A technique to dispose waste plastics in an ecofriendly way – application in construction of flexible pavements. Constr Build Mater 28:311–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Shen L, Worrell E, Patel M (2010) Present and future development in plastics from biomass. Biofuels Bioprod Biorefin 4:25–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ribeiro I, Peças P, Henriques E (2013) A life cycle framework to support materials selection for ecodesign: a case study on biodegradable polymers. Mater Des 51:300–308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gandini A, Lacerda TM (2015) From monomers to polymers from renewable resources: recent advances. Prog Polym Sci 48:1–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Fatma S, Hameed A, Noman M, Ahmed T, Shahid M, Tariq M et al (2018) Lignocellulosic biomass: a sustainable bioenergy source for the future. Protein Pept Lett 25:148–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Tan H-T, Corbin KR, Fincher GB (2016) Emerging technologies for the production of renewable liquid transport fuels from biomass sources enriched in plant cell walls. Front Plant Sci 7:1854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Maes D, Van Passel S (2014) Advantages and limitations of exergy indicators to assess sustainability of bioenergy and biobased materials. Environ Impact Assess Rev 45:19–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Karpenstein-Machan M, Schmuck P (2007) Bioenergy village – ecological and social aspects in implementation of a sustainability project. J Biobased Mater Bioenergy 1:148–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Nair LS, Laurencin CT (2007) Biodegradable polymers as biomaterials. Prog Polym Sci 32:762–798

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Mohanty A, Misra MA, Hinrichsen G (2000) Biofibres, biodegradable polymers and biocomposites: an overview. Macromol Mater Eng 276:1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Manfredi S, Pant R (2013) Improving the environmental performance of bio-waste management with life cycle thinking (LCT) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Int J Life Cycle Assess 18:285–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Komakech AJ, Sundberg C, Jönsson H, Vinnerås B (2015) Life cycle assessment of biodegradable waste treatment systems for sub-Saharan African cities. Resour Conserv Recycl 99:100–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lamas WDQ, Palau JCF, Camargo JRD (2013) Waste materials co-processing in cement industry: ecological efficiency of waste reuse. Renew Sust Energ Rev 19:200–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Dincer F, Odabasi M, Muezzinoglu A (2006) Chemical characterization of odorous gases at a landfill site by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 1122:222–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Kong X, Liu J, Ren L, Song M, Wang X, Ni Z et al (2015) Identification and characterization of odorous gas emission from a full-scale food waste anaerobic digestion plant in China. Environ Monit Assess 187:624

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kabir E, Kim K-H (2011) An investigation on hazardous and odorous pollutant emission during cooking activities. J Hazard Mater 188:443–454

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Fisher R, Barczak R, Alvarez Gaitan J, Le-Minh N, Stuetz R (2017) Odorous volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from ageing anaerobically stabilised biosolids. Water Sci Technol 75:1617–1624

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Puyuelo B, Gea T, Sánchez A (2010) A new control strategy for the composting process based on the oxygen uptake rate. Chem Eng J 165:161–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Maulini-Duran C, Artola A, Font X, Sánchez A (2014) Gaseous emissions in municipal wastes composting: effect of the bulking agent. Bioresour Technol 172:260–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Taha M, Drew GH, Tamer A, Hewings G, Jordinson G, Longhurst P et al (2007) Improving bioaerosol exposure assessments of composting facilities – comparative modelling of emissions from different compost ages and processing activities. Atmos Environ 41:4504–4519

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Adekomaya O, Majozi T (2020) Compatibility of natural fiber and hydrophobic matrix in composite modification. In: Kharissova OV, Martínez LMT, Kharisov BI (eds) Handbook of nanomaterials and nanocomposites for energy and environmental applications. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  41. Montejo C, Costa C, Marquez M (2015) Influence of input material and operational performance on the physical and chemical properties of MSW compost. J Environ Manag 162:240–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Bastioli C (1998) Biodegradable materials – present situation and future perspectives. Macromol Symp 135:193–204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Hermawan H (2012) Biodegradable metals: state of the art. In: Biodegradable metals. Springer, Berlin, pp 13–22

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  44. RameshKumar S, Shaiju P, O’Connor KE, Ramesh Babu P (2020) Bio-based and biodegradable polymers – state-of-the-art, challenges and emerging trends. Curr Opin Green Sustain Chem 21:75–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Biron M (2016) Industrial applications of renewable plastics: environmental, technological, and economic advances. William Andrew, Norwich

    Google Scholar 

  46. Adekomaya O (2020) Adaption of green composite in automotive part replacements: discussions on material modification and future patronage. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Adekomaya O (2018) Climatic weather changes on food cold-chain and evolving mitigating strategy. ATBU J Sci Technol Educ 6:49–55

    Google Scholar 

  48. Cheng K-K, Zhao X-B, Zeng J, Wu R-C, Xu Y-Z, Liu D-H et al (2012) Downstream processing of biotechnological produced succinic acid. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 95:841–850

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Soroudi A, Jakubowicz I (2013) Recycling of bioplastics, their blends and biocomposites: a review. Eur Polym J 49:2839–2858

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The lead author would like to acknowledge the financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) toward this chapter. Opinion expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. This chapter was written in the course of postdoctoral research fellowship funded by National Research Foundation (NRF) and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sustainable Process Engineering, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Oludaisi Adekomaya

  2. Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

    Oludaisi Adekomaya & Sulaiman Adedoyin

  3. NRF/DST Chair: Sustainable Process Engineering, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Thokozani Majozi

Authors
  1. Oludaisi Adekomaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thokozani Majozi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sulaiman Adedoyin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oludaisi Adekomaya .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry Science, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico

    Oxana Vasilievna Kharissova

  2. Instituto de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Leticia Myriam Torres-Martínez

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico

    Boris Ildusovich Kharisov

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Adekomaya, O., Majozi, T., Adedoyin, S. (2021). Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastic Materials: Life Cycle Assessment. In: Kharissova, O.V., Torres-Martínez, L.M., Kharisov, B.I. (eds) Handbook of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36268-3_180

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation