In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils

Sintim, Henry Y.; Bary, Andy I.; Hayes, Douglas G.; Wadsworth, Larry C.; Anunciado, Marife B.; English, Marie E.; Bandopadhyay, Sreejata; Schaeffer, Sean M.; DeBruyn, Jennifer M.; Miles, Carol A.; Reganold, John P.; Flury, Markus

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138668

Cited by 184 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It is therefore not clear that the biodegradable formulations provide sufficiently advanced rates of deterioration to be advantageous in the context of reducing marine litter, compared to conventional bags ( Katz, 2019 ). Other studies even indicated the potential of these bioplastics to undergo disintegration and degradation into micro and nano plastics which could act as a threat to the marine, air, and soil environments ( Balestri et al, 2017 ; Shruti and Muniasamy, 2019 ; Sintim et al, 2020 ). The accumulation of microplastics in the environment from the fragmentation of bioplastics poses a greater threat to the environment than the original intact litter ( Napper and Thompson, 2019 ).…”

Section: Future Direction and Recommendations To Bring Personal Behavmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Vanapalli

Sharma

Ranjan

et al. 2021

Science of The Total Environment

472

336

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the complexities of plastic waste management. Our improved, hyper-hygienic way of life in the fear of transmission has conveniently shifted our behavioral patterns like the use of PPE (Personal protective equipment), increased demand for plastic-packaged food and groceries, and the use of disposable utensils. The inadequacies and inefficiencies of our current waste management system to deal with the increased dependence on plastic could aggravate its mismanagement and leakage into the environment, thus triggering a new environmental crisis. Mandating scientific sterilization and the use of sealed bags for safe disposal of contaminated plastic wastes should be an immediate priority to reduce the risk of transmission to sanitation workers. Investments in circular technologies like feedstock recycling, improving the infrastructure and environmental viability of existing techniques could be the key to dealing with the plastic waste fluxes during such a crisis. Transition towards environmentally friendly materials like bioplastics and harboring new sustainable technologies would be crucial to fighting future pandemics. Although the rollbacks and relaxation of single-use plastic bans may be temporary, their likely implications on the consumer perception could hinder our long-term goals of transitioning towards a circular economy. Likewise, any delay in building international willingness and participation to curb any form of pollution through summits and agendas may also delay its implementation. Reduction in plastic pollution and at the same time promoting sustainable plastic waste management technologies can be achieved by prioritizing our policies to instill individual behavioral as well as social, institutional changes. Incentivizing measures that encourage circularity and sustainable practices, and public-private investments in research, infrastructure and marketing would help in bringing the aforementioned changes. Individual responsibility, corporate action, and government policy are all necessary to keep us from transitioning from one disaster to another.

show abstract

Section: Future Direction and Recommendations To Bring Personal Behavmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Vanapalli

Sharma

Ranjan

et al. 2021

Science of The Total Environment

472

336

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The sample containers were lled up to 75% of the maximum content of specimen and soil. 34 The samples were recovered from compost soil weekly. Then the weight was measured to calculate the weight loss, the change of physical appearance was recorded and reburied.…”

Section: Biodegradation Under Controlled Composting Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

All-organic, conductive and biodegradable yarns from core–shell nanofibers through electrospinning

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most widely used plastic variety of a biodegradable polymer, and it is expected to replace many general-purpose plastics for packaging and agricultural mulch [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. However, some reports show that PLA disintegration is slow [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], meaning that PLA particles can remain in the soil for a considerable time. This implies the same problems as those associated with the use of general plastics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, some papers show that the biodegradation of PLA is very slow [ 29 , 30 ] in the soil. Another report indicates that PLA degradation does not occur or is very slow under 50 °C [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Soil temperature is lower than 35 °C [ 31 ], even in Vietnam, the tropics, which is lower than that of the composting procedure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Polylactic acid (PLA) is expected to replace many general-purpose plastics, especially those used for food packaging and agricultural mulch. In composting, the degradation speed of PLA is affected by the molecular weight, crystallinity, and microbial activity. PLA with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 has been reported to have higher decomposition rates than those with higher molecular weight. However, PLA degradation generates water-soluble products, including lactic acid, that decrease the pH of soil or compost. As acidification of soil or compost affects farm products, their pH should be controlled. Therefore, a method for determining suitable reaction conditions to achieve ideal decomposition products is necessary. This study aimed to determine suitable reaction conditions for generating preprocessed PLA with a molecular weight lower than 10,000 without producing water-soluble contents. To this end, we investigated the degradation of PLA using sub-critical water. The molecular weight and ratio of water-soluble contents (WSCs) affecting the pH of preprocessed products were evaluated through kinetic analysis, and crystallinity was analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry. Preprocessed PLA was prepared under the determined ideal conditions, and its characteristics in soil were observed. The results showed that the crystallization rate increased with PLA decomposition but remained lower than 30%. In addition, the pH of compost mixed with 40% of preprocessed PLA could be controlled within pH 5.4–5.5 over 90 days. Overall, soil mixed with the preprocessed PLA prepared under the determined ideal conditions remains suitable for plant growth.

show abstract

In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils

Cited by 184 publications

References 32 publications

Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic

All-organic, conductive and biodegradable yarns from core–shell nanofibers through electrospinning

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About