Library Guides: Planet vs. Plastics: Biodegradable Plastics or Bioplastics

What are Biodegradable Plastics?

According to Wikipedia: "Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.

Biodegradable Plastics: Standards, Policies, and Impacts
Free online journal article from ChemSusChem, vol 14, no. 1, pp 56-72. It covers the environmental and socio-economic impact of plastics, government policies, standards and certifications, physico-chemical properties, and analytical techniques, highlighting the potential of bioplastics, but also the challenges and barriers towards their commercialization.

Biodegradable Polymer-Based Food Packaging by Abhishek Dutt Tripathi; Kianoush Khosravi- Darani; Dinesh Chandra Rai; Veena Paul
Publication Date: 2022
This book focuses on the production and characterization of biodegradable food packaging derived from plant, animal and microbial sources. Chapters highlight nano-technological interventions and the less studied microbial biopolymer-based biodegradable food packaging. It also discusses the standards and regulatory guidelines about the biodegradability testing of these polymers.
Compostable Polymer Materials by Ewa Rudnik
Publication Date: 2019
This book covers the entire spectrum of preparation, degradation, and environmental issues related to compostable polymers. It describes the thermal behavior, including flammability properties, of compostable polymers. It also explores possible routes of compostable polymers waste disposal through an ecological lens. Finally, the book examines the economic factors at work, including price evolution over the past decade, the current market, and future perspectives.
Degradable Polymers and Materials: Principles and Practice by Kishan Khemani; Carmen Scholz
Publication Date: 2013
In this book, experts from the field of bio-based chemicals, plastics and materials present the most compelling case and a comprehensive overview of the paradigm shift that is taking place in the present day movement to replace crude oil with bio-based raw materials. Topics include: Biodegradation Testing Protocols, Life Cycle Assessment, Starch and other Natural Polymers, Bioplastics from Waste Materials, and Biodegradable Agricultural Mulches derived from Biopolymers.
Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications by Inamuddin; Tariq Altalhi
Publication Date: 2022
This Handbook explores the extensive and growing applications made with bioplastics and biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries. Chapters cover the biobased materials; recycling of bioplastics; biocomposites modeling; biomedical and engineering-based applications including optical devices, smart materials, cosmetics, drug delivery, clinical, electrochemical, industrial, flame retardant, sports, packaging, disposables, and biomass.
Plastics and Sustainability Grey Is the New Green by Michael Tolinski; Conor P. Carlin
Publication Date: 2021
A practical guide for making sustainability decisions about how plastics are made and used, including current developments in the newest bio-based plastics. The author makes objective comparisons among major polymer grades and bioplastics including their life cycle assessments and practical performance in commercial applications.
Sustainable Plastics by Joseph P. Greene
Call Number: TP1180 .B55 G7435 2014 (Tier 7 - 1st edition)
Publication Date: Online is 2022 edition
This book helps readers understand the ability of plastics to be sustainable and goes over the plastic products which have a lower carbon footprint, lower waste, and lower pollution. It includes sustainability strategies related to biobased plastics, recycled plastics, and petroleum-based plastics in manufacturing operations.

Of Note:

Greene, Joseph P. Sustainable Plastics: Environmental Assessments of Biobased, Biodegradable, and Recycled Plastics. Wiley. 2022. Section 15.2, p. 415. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119882091.ch15 ) - - Traditional plastics can be made from agricultural products including corn, sugar beets, sugarcane, and wheat - all of these crops consume less energy to do so than traditional fossil fuels. Sugarcane and sugar beets require half the land to produce than corn.

A New Technique Could Make Some Plastic Trash Compostable at Home
Drahl, Carmen. Science News, April 21, 2021.