Compostable Polymeric Ecomaterials: Environment-Friendly Waste Management Alternative to Landfills

  • Wanda Sikorska
  • Marta Musioł
  • Barbara Zawidlak-Węgrzyńska
  • Joanna Rydz
Living reference work entry
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Accepted:

Abstract

Widely used conventional plastics have many advantages; however, their resistance to biological agents have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, the use of (bio)degradable polymers should become widespread owing to growing interest in sustainability, organic recycling, and environmental issues. This review focuses on compostable polymeric ecomaterials with potential applications in many fields of modern society. The waste management strategy and regulations for polymeric ecomaterials, methods of evaluating the composting process, the biodegradability of polymers, in addition to the basics of composting processes are presented. The most important (bio)degradable polymer applications are discussed with regard to renewable recourses, (bio)degradability, and recycling.

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Wanda Sikorska
    • 1
  • Marta Musioł
    • 1
  • Barbara Zawidlak-Węgrzyńska
    • 2
  • Joanna Rydz
    • 1
  1. 1.Centre of Polymer and Carbon MaterialsPolish Academy of SciencesZabrzePoland
  2. 2.Zbigniew Religa Foundation of Cardiac Surgery Development, Heart Prostheses InstituteArtificial Heart LaboratoryZabrzePoland

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