Use and environment impact of biodegradable plastics-A review

Persistence of chemical compounds in plastic made them non-biodegradable polluting the environment. Disposal of plastic waste in a country like India where municipal waste management systems are already weak becomes a brutal problem. This garbage even had reached onto mountains and the deep oceans. Petroleum plastics with synthetic additives proved carcinogenic and have several harmful effects on animal life. To overcome this problem India needs to use biodegradable plastics in several areas viz., agricultural mulch, industrial packaging, wrapping, milk packets, food service, personal care, pharmaceuticals, surgical implants, medical devices and recreation. In the interest of public health and environmental catastrophes it is now critical to generate alternative resources of biodegradable plastics and avoid the use of petrochemical plastics. Exploitation of cellulose from bagasse, cotton lint and regenerated cellulose from non-edible starch (from waste and spoiled grains) can be converted to lactic acid polymers; plasticized thermoplastic starch is good for making disposables.