Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics

Biodegradability of Conventional Plastics brings together innovative research into the biodegradability of conventional plastics, providing an extensive overview of approaches and strategies that may be implemented for enhanced biodegradability, and highlighting other methods for alleviating the eventual environmental impact of plastics.

The book begins by discussing life cycle assessment of plastics, the environmental impact of plastic waste, and the factors that affect the biodegradability of plastics. The different categories and terminologies surrounding bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics are defined and explained in detailed, and the issues surrounding bioplastics are analyzed in detail. This is followed by in-depth chapters examining the biodegradability - and approaches for enhanced biodegradability - of various major types of plastics, including polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), automotive plastics and composites, and agricultural plastic waste. The final part of the book focuses on further techniques and emerging areas, including the utilization of chemical additives, nanomaterials, the role of microbes in terms of microbial degradation and microbial attaching, revalorization of plastic waste through industrial biotechnology, and future opportunities and challenges.

Offering a new perspective, this book is of interest to researchers, scientists, and advanced students across polymer science, plastics engineering, bio-based materials, nanomaterials, chemistry, biotechnology, environmental science, and materials science and engineering, as well as industrial R&D personnel and engineers looking to develop plastics materials with increased biodegradability, or interested in plastics and sustainability.