Sustainable Bioplastics as Eco-Friendly Alternative to Plastics

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology in Dhaka, Bangladesh, have made significant progress in developing sustainable bioplastics as a viable alternative to non-biodegradable plastics. The team, led by Rois Uddin Mahmud, has created a bioplastic film from starch and cellulose, reinforced with waste cotton, that can be used for eco-friendly packaging. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce plastic waste and mitigate its adverse environmental impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a bioplastic film from starch and cellulose, reinforced with waste cotton, that can be used for eco-friendly packaging.
  • The bioplastic film exhibits excellent physical properties, including a thickness of 1.8 mm, solubility of 41.43%, and water absorbency of 21.51%.
  • The material has good tensile characteristics, with a maximum tensile strength of 2.80 MPa, and can withstand external forces during its intended application.
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) tests confirm the existence of starch and cellulose in the bioplastic's chemical structure.
  • The bioplastics show excellent biodegradable nature, with a 76% weight loss by day 35, making them an eco-friendly alternative to plastics.
  • The research highlights the potential of sustainable bioplastics for various applications, including packaging, and emphasizes the need for reducing plastic waste.

Statistics:

  • 1.8 mm: thickness of the bioplastic film
  • 41.43%: solubility of the bioplastic film
  • 21.51%: water absorbency of the bioplastic film
  • 2.80 MPa: maximum tensile strength of the bioplastic film
  • 76%: weight loss of the bioplastics by day 35
  • 2025: publication year of the research paper
  • 11():100286: volume and page number of the research paper in the journal Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment

Sources:

  • Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 2025,11():100286
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.scenv.2025.100286
  • BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Ecology, Environment & Conservation, September 19, 2025, p 44
  • NewsRx LLC, 2025
  • Rois Uddin Mahmud, Department of Textile Engineering, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh