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Sustainable Science:

Bioplastics from Food Waste

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Traditional plastics

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Synthetic: They are made from nonrenewable resources like fossil fuels
Ubiquitous: They are everywhere in our daily lives, from product packaging to construction materials.
Low Production Cost: They are cost-effective to produce, which has led to their widespread use.
Versatile: Traditional plastics can be molded into a wide variety of shapes, making them suitable for countless uses.
Durable: They are known for their long-lasting properties, which is both a benefit and a challenge from an environmental standpoint.
Global consumption: They are among the most commonly used materials globally.

Traditional plastics

What are they?

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

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All plastics are polymers. Monomers + monomers ⟶ polymers with heat & catalysts.
Common monomers:

Small alkenes C=H (ethylene, propylene) & methanol from natural gas
Benzene and related chemicals from oil.

Traditional plastics

How are they made?

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

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Example 1: PE. Commonly used in bottles, bags, pipes, etc.
The degree of polymerization n is 700 - 1800.

Ethylene derives from natural gas products or the cracking process of oil.
PE is extremely chemically inert and takes centuries in nature to break down. Even then, decomposition products are either microplastics or dangerous species like formaldehyde, aerosol, radicals.

Traditional plastics

How are they made?

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

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Example 2: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - the thin film in Tide pods.
Precursors: vinyl acetate & methanol, which derives from ethylene and methanol, all petroleum-based chemicals. Contains 600 - 2400 monomers.
Dissolves quickly in water because of the -OH group.

Traditional plastics

How are they made?

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

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Example 2: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - the thin film in Tide pods.
Breakdown mechanism: enzymatic attack at random points along the polymer chain, breaking it into acetic acid. Then acetic acid is metabolized by microbes in the citric acid cycle.
It’s biodegradability is still questionable. The OECD label ‘readily biodegradable’ requires this test: a compound only needs to be 60% converted into CO₂ in 28 days in laboratory conditions.
However, the test did not account for

Remaining 40% material.
Consuming speed of in the sewage vs lab conditions.
Timeline: usually, wastewater remain in treatment plants for less than 28 days.

Traditional plastics

How do they decompose?

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

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Traditional plastics

Annual production of plastics worldwide from 1050 to 2021

(in million metric ton)

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

Source: Statista

Population growth trend

The worldwide production of plastics reached a staggering 390.7 million metric tons in 2021. This marks a significant increase of four percent from the previous year. Plastics production has soared since 1950s.

A quick history on plastics:

1862: Plastic starts to be used in households for items like knife handles
1950: Tupperware parties start to become a trend
Neil Armstrong plants a nylon flag on the moon in 1969 as plastic starts to become a go-to material in the 1970s.
In 1977, the plastic bag was introduced to the grocery industry as an alternative to the paper bag—something we’re trying to revert back to 40-plus years later.
1982: Grocery chains Kroger and Safeway replace their paper bags with plastic
1997: Charles Moore discovers the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—the world’s largest collection of floating plastic waste
2002: 360 million bottles are recycled
2008: 2008 was a noticeable period in which laws against plastic use/to mitigate plastic waste started to appear. In this year, global production dropped as China announced a ban on supermarkets handing out plastic bags in shops, instead telling people to use paper or cloth sacks to carry their shopping. Retailers faced prosecution if they were found to be providing them to grocery shoppers. Plastic bottles achieve a 27% recycling rate, reclaiming 2.4 billion pounds of plastic
2016: A global population of 7 billion produces over 320 million tonnes of plastic—with the figure expected to double by 2034.

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Traditional plastics

Usage

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

Source: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/

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Traditional Plastics: What are they?

Waste Generation: The widespread use of traditional plastics results in significant waste generation, especially in single-use items like packaging and disposable utensils.
Non-Biodegradability: Most traditional plastics do not biodegrade naturally. They persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to litter and pollution.
Microplastics: Over time, larger plastic items break down into tiny particles known as microplastics. These microplastics infiltrate our ecosystems, harming wildlife and potentially entering the human food chain.
Resource Depletion: The production of traditional plastics relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to the depletion of non-renewable resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The manufacturing and disposal of plastics generate greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

Traditional plastics

& their environmental impact

But plastics present some significant challenges to the environment.

Non-Biodegradability: First, traditional plastics do not biodegrade naturally. They persist in the environment for hundreds of years, which leads to the accumulation of plastic waste, litter, and pollution. This long-lasting presence in our environment is a critical concern.

Microplastics: Over time, larger plastic items break down into tiny particles known as microplastics. These microplastics infiltrate our ecosystems, from the depths of the ocean to the most remote landscapes. They harm wildlife and, shockingly, have the potential to enter the human food chain, affecting not only nature but our health as well.

Resource Depletion: The production of traditional plastics relies heavily on fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources. This reliance contributes to resource depletion, further straining our already limited reserves of these critical energy sources.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Beyond resource use, both the manufacturing and disposal of plastics generate greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions significantly contribute to climate change, an urgent global issue.

Understanding these challenges helps us recognize the need for more sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. In our lesson today, we will explore one such alternative: bioplastics. Bioplastics offer a way to mitigate these environmental problems while meeting our daily needs for plastic materials.

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Traditional plastics

Traditional Plastics: What are they?

Source: Visual Capitalist

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Bioplastics & Biobased materials

Bioplastics: What are they?

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Biobased materials are

Renewable: They rely on materials that can be naturally replenished, reducing the strain on non-renewable resources.
Sustainable: Biobased materials are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Bioplastics are:

Subgroup of biobased materials: They are a category of plastics made from organic, renewable materials, typically derived from plants like corn, potatoes, or sugarcane.
Biodegradable: Some bioplastics are biodegradable, meaning they can naturally break down into non-toxic substances at the end of their life cycle, reducing waste and pollution.

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

What are they?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

Biobased materials are broader category of materials derived from renewable and naturally occurring resources, such as plants, microorganisms, and other organic sources. Biobased materials are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Biobased materials, including bioplastics, are characterized by:

Renewability: They rely on materials that can be naturally replenished, reducing the strain on non-renewable resources.

Environmental Benefits: Their production often leads to a smaller environmental footprint, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Diverse Applications: They are used in a wide range of applications, including packaging, textiles, construction, and even automotive components.

In our lesson today, we'll be focusing on bioplastics and their role in reducing the environmental impact of plastics. We'll see how these materials are designed to provide similar functionalities to traditional plastics while addressing some of the significant environmental concerns.

As we move forward, keep in mind that bioplastics and biobased materials represent a vital shift towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious materials in various industries and applications.

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Two types of bioplastics are now produced in large quantities.

PLA: Polylactide acid. Made from dextrose (sugar molecule) from corn starch, cassava or sugarcane.
PHA: polyhydroxyalkanoate. A wide variety of chemicals made from microorganisms.

Their physical properties are very similar to traditional plastics.

PLA ≈ polyethylene (films, packing and bottles), polystyrene (Styrofoam) or polypropylene (auto parts & textiles).
PHA ≈ polyethylene (bottles), and a lot of other plastics.

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

What are they?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

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Corn → dextrose → lactate through glycolysis
Lactate goes through dehydration, then polymerization to become polylactic acid.

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

How are they made?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

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PHA: made by microorganisms. The microorganisms, kept in carbon-rich but nutrient-deprived conditions, produce PHA as carbon reserves.
Structures similar to that of traditional plastics.

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

How are they made?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

General structure of PHAs.

Polycarbonate - traditional plastic

Polybutylene succinate - traditional plastic

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Reduced Waste: Bioplastics & biobased materials are designed to break down more easily, reducing the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems.
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Their production generally emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional plastics, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
Renewability: Unlike traditional plastics, which rely heavily on fossil fuels, biobased materials use renewable resources. This makes them more sustainable and reduces our dependence on finite resources.

Diverse Applications: Biobased materials are used in a wide range of applications, including packaging, textiles, construction, and even automotive components.

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

What are the benefits?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

In fact, some of the benefits of using bioplastics and biobased materials are:

Reduced Waste: Bioplastics and biobased materials are designed to break down more easily, which means they contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems. Their biodegradability is a crucial factor in addressing the problem of plastic pollution.

Reduced Carbon Footprint: When it comes to environmental impact, the production of bioplastics and biobased materials generally emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to the production of traditional plastics. This helps in reducing our overall carbon footprint and contributes to climate change mitigation.

Renewability: Biobased materials are sourced from renewable resources. This makes them a more sustainable choice and helps decrease our dependence on non-renewable resources.

Diverse Applications: Biobased materials find applications in a wide range of industries and products. Whether it's packaging, textiles, construction materials, or even components for the automotive industry, these materials offer versatility and innovation in multiple sectors.

In the following slides, we’ll see specific examples and applications of these materials and their potential to make a positive impact across various industries.

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Diverse Applications:

PLA is FDA approved for food-contact material.
PHA and PLA are both biocompatible & biodegradable, so they are used in the medical fields for implants, wound covers, scar rejuvenation treatment, etc.
PLA has good tensile strength & impact characteristics; its applications in the automotive industry are car interior, safety helmets, front panels, ceiling.
PLA has low moisture absorption and high UV resistance, so it is also used in textile, eg., sportswear
PHA is also used in drug delivery

Bioplastics & Biobased materials

What are the benefits?

Bio Plastics: What are they?

Suntory Beverage & Food Limited will introduce the world’s first PET beverage bottle caps using 30% plant-based products in Japan. https://www.suntory.com/softdrink/news/pr/article/SBF0380.html

In fact, some of the benefits of using bioplastics and biobased materials are:

Reduced Waste: Bioplastics and biobased materials are designed to break down more easily, which means they contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems. Their biodegradability is a crucial factor in addressing the problem of plastic pollution.

Reduced Carbon Footprint: When it comes to environmental impact, the production of bioplastics and biobased materials generally emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to the production of traditional plastics. This helps in reducing our overall carbon footprint and contributes to climate change mitigation.

Renewability: Biobased materials are sourced from renewable resources. This makes them a more sustainable choice and helps decrease our dependence on non-renewable resources.

Diverse Applications: Biobased materials find applications in a wide range of industries and products. Whether it's packaging, textiles, construction materials, or even components for the automotive industry, these materials offer versatility and innovation in multiple sectors.

In the following slides, we’ll see specific examples and applications of these materials and their potential to make a positive impact across various industries.

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Kenley McAdams, from bioMASON, applies a feeding to the bacteria Photo courtesy of James O’Rourke

BioMason - Biomanufactured Bricks

Biobased Materials Examples

biobased materials can make a significant impact in the construction industry. One company that's leading the way in this innovative field is BioMason.

What Does BioMason Do?

BioMason was founded by an architect and her husband, and they've revolutionized the way we think about bricks and masonry. Traditional brick-making methods involve the use of high heat, which is highly energy-intensive and has a significant environmental consequences with brick kilns being extremely high emitters of CO2. Converting as little as 10% of the kilns would save 55 million tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere annually.

BioMason, however, takes a radically different approach.

Bacteria-Powered Brick Production:

BioMason's method relies on bacteria to cement the grains of sand together over a few days. This approach is inspired by the natural process that sea corals use to build their structures. The process is called biocementation. By harnessing this biological process, BioMason has found a way to create bricks and masonry without the need for high-temperature firing.

Environmental Impact and Flexibility:

This innovative approach addresses the environmental impact of traditional brick manufacturing. It significantly reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more sustainable option. Additionally, it introduces flexibility into a changing world.

Collaboration with the Airforce and The Blue Horizon Program:

BioMason's work goes beyond bricks. They are collaborating with the Airforce and The Blue Horizon Program to test bio-manufactured plane runways. These runways can be easily and rapidly deployed in the field by using existing local raw materials and adding the special bacteria mixture.

It's exciting to see how these innovations are changing the landscape of construction and infrastructure.

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Prometheus Materials - Biocomposite Masonry Blocks

Biobased Materials Examples

Let's explore another remarkable example of how biotechnology and biobased materials are transforming the construction industry. Prometheus Materials, a Colorado-based company, has developed a groundbreaking solution using low-carbon cement-like material grown from micro-algae.

Biocomposite Masonry Blocks:

Prometheus Materials has created masonry blocks using a low-carbon cement-like material that meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. What makes this process extraordinary is how they produce this material.

Nature-Inspired Production:

The company grows an organic cement-like material in bioreactors, and this material replicates itself in ways similar to how coral builds structures. This nature-inspired approach is key to the innovation. As Prometheus Materials co-founder Wil V Srubar III points out, nature has already shown us how to bind minerals together efficiently, such as in coral reefs and shells.

Sustainability and Carbon Reduction:

Prometheus Materials' bio-cement is made from biomineralizing cyanobacteria that are grown using sunlight, seawater, and CO2. This approach significantly reduces carbon emissions. The resulting blocks, created by mixing bio-cement with aggregate, offer mechanical, physical, and thermal properties comparable to traditional portland cement-based concrete.

A Solution to Carbon Emissions:

One of the significant benefits of this bio-cement is its potential to be mass-produced as a sustainable alternative to traditional portland cement. Traditional cement production, reliant on clinker made from crushed and burned limestone, is a major source of carbon emissions. The process not only eliminates carbon emissions associated with traditional concrete-based building materials but also has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry.

This example illustrates how innovation and the use of biobased materials are revolutionizing construction and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

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Ohmie - 3D-Printed Lamp

Bioplastic Examples

Let's now explore another inspiring example of innovation, sustainability, and the creative use of biobased materials. Meet 'Ohmie,' a 3D-printed lamp

The Origin of Ohmie:

Ohmie is not your ordinary lamp. It's a creation by Milan-based start-up Krill Design, and what makes it truly unique is the material it's made from—Sicilian orange peels. The designers at Krill Design turned to orange peel as a sustainable source due to the abundance of citrus fruits in Sicily, Italy.

Sustainable Sourcing:

Each Ohmie lamp is crafted from the discarded peels of two or three oranges, sourced from a family-owned food producer in the Messina province of Sicily. This not only reduces waste but also showcases the resourcefulness of using what's readily available.

The 3D Printing Process:

The orange peels are ground down and combined with starch, creating a material suitable for 3D printing. This innovative approach allows the creation of lightweight, tactile lamps with a unique texture.

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Bioplastic Examples

Ohmie - 3D-Printed Orange Peel Lamp

Compostable and Eco-Friendly:

What makes Ohmie even more remarkable is its end-of-life cycle. After its use, the lamp can be easily disassembled by hand into smaller pieces. These pieces can then be disposed of with organic household waste.

Composting and Biofuel:

The lamp's journey doesn't end there. Once disposed of, Ohmie can be processed in composting facilities, where it can be turned into compost or even biofuel, depending on local disposal practices.

Future Goals:

Krill Design is actively researching and developing materials to achieve a biopolymer that can be both durable and easily compostable in nature or at home. This forward-thinking approach aims to further reduce waste and environmental impact.

This example of Ohmie shows how creativity, sustainability, and the use of biobased materials can lead to innovative solutions that are not only functional but also environmentally friendly. It's a shining example of how we can reimagine everyday objects for a greener future.

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Agar Bottle Student Project

Bioplastic Examples

Now, let's explore an innovative project that challenges the norms of packaging materials and addresses the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This project comes from product design student Ari Jónsson, who has ingeniously combined red algae powder with water to create a biodegradable bottle.

The Drive for Change:

Ari Jónsson was inspired to take on this project after learning about the staggering amount of plastic waste produced daily. Feeling the urgency to find replacements for the single-use plastics that contribute to environmental issues, he questioned the use of materials that take hundreds of years to break down for items used briefly.

Agar Powder - A Natural Solution:

Jónsson embarked on a journey to find a suitable replacement, studying various materials and their properties. His quest led him to agar, a substance made from algae. When agar powder is mixed with water, it forms a jelly-like material.

The Crafting Process:

To create the agar bottle, Jónsson carefully experimented with proportions and molding techniques. He mixed the agar powder with water, shaped it in a bottle mold, and then rotated the mold in ice-cold water to give it the desired form. The result is a bottle that retains its shape as long as it's filled with water but begins to decompose once empty.

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Agar Bottle Project - Redefining Sustainable Packaging

Bioplastic Examples

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Agar Raincoat Project - Innovating Sustainable Fashion

Bioplastic Examples

Let's continue our exploration of innovative biobased materials, this time in the realm of sustainable fashion. New York designer Charlotte McCurdy has crafted a water-resistant jacket from a unique plastic made entirely of algae.

Bioplastic Innovation:

Charlotte McCurdy's water-resistant jacket is a testament to creative solutions in the world of fashion. The garment is made from a bioplastic material developed by McCurdy, consisting entirely of biopolymers derived from algae. What makes this project particularly noteworthy is its carbon-negative footprint.

Carbon-Negative Fashion:

McCurdy explains that the jacket is carbon-negative because it is made of marine macro-algae. This harnesses 'present-tense sunlight,' drawing carbon from the atmosphere and incorporating it into the carbon stock of our built environment.

Plant-Based Waterproofing:

In addition to the innovative bioplastic, McCurdy has developed an entirely plant-based waterproofing wax for the jacket. This wax is a conscious departure from petroleum-based or non-vegan options, aligning with a commitment to sustainable and cruelty-free fashion.

Sustainable Materials and Processes:

Metal snaps and viscose threads, derived from plant cellulose, are used in the construction of the jacket. McCurdy's commitment to sustainability extends beyond materials—it includes her manufacturing process. Her studio operates fully on renewable electricity, making the entire production cycle environmentally friendly.

The Future of Sustainable Fashion:

This project by Charlotte McCurdy represents a bold step towards sustainable fashion. It showcases the potential for innovation not only in materials but also in the processes that shape our garments. As we delve into the world of biobased materials, it's inspiring to see how designers are reimagining fashion with an eco-conscious lens.

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Electronic waste

Bioplastic Examples

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Bioplastic Examples

Biodesign Challenge - Sustainable Electronics Casings

To see if biobased materials can help mitigate this problem, let's explore an impactful student project from the Biodesign Challenge.

In 2021-22, a group of Pratt Institute students took up the challenge given by the BioDesign Challenge and Google to address the carbon footprint and waste associated with electronics.

Addressing the Carbon Footprint:

To tackle the environmental impact of electronics, the Pratt Institute students delved into the challenge of replacing plastic casings with a more sustainable alternative. The aim was to mitigate the carbon footprint associated with the production and disposal of electronic devices. Their innovative solution focuses on creating a sustainable material they call BI/OME.

Biochar as a Key Ingredient:

The students chose biochar as a primary ingredient for their alternative material. Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like substance produced through pyrolysis—a process that involves heating plant waste or manure in the absence of oxygen. Its dark color makes it a fitting replacement for black plastics, which pose recycling challenges due to their color.

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Biodesign Challenge - Sustainable Electronics Casings

Bioplastic Examples

The BI/OME Solution:

The team combined biochar with PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), a biodegradable bacterial polymer, to create BI/OME. This material exhibits properties comparable to traditional casings, making it a viable alternative. Importantly, BI/OME can be produced at industrial scales, helping to integrate it into mainstream manufacturing processes.

Sequestering Carbon and Biodegradability:

Beyond its role in electronics casings, BI/OME has additional environmental benefits. It has the potential to sequester carbon, aiding in carbon capture efforts. Moreover, being biodegradable, the material aligns with sustainability goals, offering a responsible end-of-life option for electronic products.

A Vision for the Future:

The Pratt Institute team envisions a future where BI/OME products can be disposed of in any backyard. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses the immediate challenges of electronic waste but also contributes to a circular and eco-friendly economy.

This student project exemplifies how biodesign thinking can pave the way for sustainable alternatives, even in complex industries like electronics manufacturing. It sparks discussions about the possibilities of integrating such innovations into mainstream production for a greener and more responsible future.

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Chitosan - Harnessing Crustacean Shells for Sustainability

Bioplastic Examples

As our last example of innovative biobased materials, let's delve into the world of chitosan—a promising solution from an unlikely source, crustacean shells. You’ll have the chance to make your own bioplastic with chitosan during our experiment

Crustacean Shell Waste:

The food industry generates an astonishing 6 million to 8 million metric tons of waste from crab, shrimp, and lobster shells annually. Traditionally, much of this waste finds its way back into the ocean or ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental challenges.

The Plastic Dilemma:

And as we’ve seen, our planet grapples with the relentless accumulation of plastic waste. Remember, over 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, with only 25.7 percent of plastic successfully recycled. The majority persists in landfills for centuries or escapes into the environment, posing threats to ecosystems.

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Chitosan - Harnessing Crustacean Shells for Sustainability

Bioplastic Examples

Chitosan - A Dual Solution:

Scientists see an opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously. Crustacean shells, rich in chitin, offer a sustainable alternative. Chitin, and its derivative chitosan, share many desirable properties with plastic but biodegrade in a matter of weeks or months, a stark contrast to the centuries-long breakdown of plastic.

Abundant and Versatile:

Chitin, one of the most abundant organic materials globally, is not limited to crustaceans. It's found in insects, fish scales, mollusks, and fungi. Like plastic, chitin is a polymer, with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as its building block—a sugar related to glucose.

Applications and Promise:

Chitosan, derived from chitin, exhibits antibacterial and nontoxic properties. It's already used in various applications, including cosmetics, wound dressings, and pool-water treatments. While right now, we don’t have any products to show using chitosan, scientists are enthusiastic about its promise in transforming waste into a valuable and sustainable resource.

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A Note on Food Waste

Minimizing Food Waste: Approximately one-third of the food produced globally goes to waste, contributing to food insecurity and environmental problems.
Resource Efficiency: When we reuse food waste, we reduce the strain on agricultural resources, energy, and water used to produce the food.
Reducing Landfills: Food waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Reusing food waste prevents its decomposition in landfills.

Food and Agricultural Waste

A Global Challenge

Let’s take a moment to think about other food waste that could be use, and why bring food waste into bioplastic creation.

Every year, vast amounts of food are wasted or lost globally, leading to financial losses, environmental impact, and the generation of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Scale:

Globally, an astounding 1.3 billion tonnes of edible food is wasted or lost annually. Despite our ability to prevent much of this waste, the problem persists, particularly in industrialized countries.

Canadian Perspective:

In Canada alone, over 50 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, with 60% of it being avoidable through better planning and awareness. Shockingly, 47% of this waste occurs at the household level, and over six-tenths of it could be easily avoided. The yearly food waste in Canada amounts to a staggering 9.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, underlining the environmental impact.

United States Scenario:

In the United States, nearly 40 percent of the food produced ends up in landfills, making it the single largest component of municipal waste. The economic loss associated with this waste amounts to a staggering $165 billion annually, considering the resources spent in the food supply chain.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

The consequences extend beyond financial losses. Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating environmental challenges. The wasted food, water, energy, and chemicals in the food supply chain collectively contribute to this significant environmental impact.

Fruits and Vegetables:

It becomes evident that addressing food and agricultural waste is not just an environmental imperative but also a critical aspect of responsible resource management and sustainable living. Our journey into biobased materials aligns with the broader goal of minimizing waste and creating a more sustainable future

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Discussion

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Why do you think traditional plastics are a significant environmental concern, and how do they impact our daily lives?

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What are the key benefits of using bioplastics, and how can they help address the environmental issues caused by traditional plastics?

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Why is reusing food waste an essential practice, and how can it contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle?

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Glossary

Bioplastic

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Biodegradable: The property of a material to naturally break down into non-toxic substances when it reaches the end of its life cycle, reducing waste and pollution.
Biobased Materials: Materials derived from renewable and naturally occurring resources, such as plants and microorganisms. They are more environmentally friendly and sustainable compared to materials based on fossil fuels.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The release of gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items and infiltrate ecosystems, potentially harming wildlife and entering the food chain.
Renewable Resources: Resources that can be naturally replenished, such as plant-based materials, as opposed to finite resources like fossil fuels.
Sustainability: The practice of using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Traditional Plastics: Synthetic materials made from polymers that are derived from non-renewable resources, primarily fossil fuels, and have a range of environmental challenges.
Bioplastics: A subset of biobased materials that are derived from organic sources like corn, sugarcane, and potato starch. They are designed to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable, with applications in various industries.

Bioplastic Lesson Glossary

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Sustainable Science:

Making bioplastic

from food waste

Experiment

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SAFETY

Gloves and goggles can be worn
Acetic acid (vinegar) has a strong smell!
Microwaved liquids can be hot when taken out.

Safety

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Gather your supplies and prepare your space.

Clear your workspace
Read through the instructions
Gather all the ingredients listed in the instructions
Put on your gloves and googles if you have them/want

Bioplastic Lesson Experiment

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Prepare your molds - Oil & identify them:

On the thinner mold write “Chitosan”
On the larger mold write the name of your food waste
Pour a small amount of oil inside each mold and use it to coat the entire inside of the mold. This will act as a mold release.

Bioplastic Lesson Experiment

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Chitosan Bioplastic

Add 25 mL of water to your beaker
Add the tube of glycerol (10 mL) , and one packet of gelatin (1 g) to your beaker
Microwave until it boils
Add the Chitosan powder (3 g).
Mix and once the liquid is smooth, pour it into the “Chitosan” mold.

Bioplastic Lesson Experiment

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Own Food Waste Bioplastic

Add the all the acetic acid (50 mL) to your beaker
Add a packet of pectin (1.25 g), and a packet of gelatin (1 g) to your beaker
Microwave until it boils
Add 3 tablespoon of crushed food waste (if you are feeling experimental, add 2, 4 or 5!)
Mix and once the liquid is smooth, pour it into the other mold.

Leave the bioplastics to dry 24 - 72 hours.

Bioplastic Lesson Experiment

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Discussion & Reflection

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What environmental benefits can you identify in the process we just conducted?

How does the biodegradability of bioplastics differ from traditional plastics, and why is it important?

Discussion: Environmental Impact

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What challenges or difficulties did you encounter while making bioplastics from food waste?

How might these challenges be addressed in a real-world scenario?

Discussion: Challenges

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Now that we've created bioplastics, can you think of potential applications in everyday life and industries where bioplastics could be beneficial?

How might using bioplastics in these applications impact the environment?

Discussion: Potential Application

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What actions can you take to reduce your use of traditional plastics?

How can you implement the concept of reusing food waste at home or in your community?

Can you think of any products or materials in your daily life that could be replaced with bioplastics for a more sustainable option?

Reflection

After discussing the process, benefits, challenges, and applications, have the students reflect on their overall learning and how they can apply the principles to reduce waste in their own lives. Remind them of the key principles:

Now, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned today and consider how we can apply these principles to reduce waste in our daily lives. Remember the key principles we discussed:

Traditional plastics have a significant environmental impact due to their non-biodegradability and reliance on fossil fuels.

Bioplastics are made from renewable resources, biodegradable, and have a reduced carbon footprint.

Reusing food waste is crucial to reduce waste in landfills and promote resource efficiency.

With these principles in mind, how do you think you can make a difference in your own lives when it comes to sustainability and waste reduction?"

Example Answer:

Everyday Life: Cutlery, straws, and disposable food containers made from bioplastics could reduce the use of single-use plastics.
Industries: Bioplastics could be used in the automotive industry for interior parts or in agriculture for biodegradable mulch, reducing waste and environmental impact.

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Conclusion

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