Generation of Microplastics from Biodegradable Packaging Films Based on PLA, PBS and Their Blend in Freshwater and Seawater.

Biodegradable polymers and their blends have been advised as an eco-sustainable solution; however, the generation of microplastics (MPs) from their degradation in aquatic environments is still not fully grasped. In this study, we investigated the formation of bio-microplastics (BMPs) and the changes in the physicochemical properties of blown packaging films based on polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and a PBS/PLA 70/30 wt% blend after degradation in different aquatic media. The tests were carried out in two temperature/light conditions to simulate degradation in either warm water, under sunlight exposure (named Warm and Light-W&L), and cold deep water (named Cold and Dark-C&D).

High-Barrier, Biodegradable Films with Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polylactic Acid + Wax Double Coatings: Influence of Relative Humidity on Transport Properties and Suitability for Modified Atmosphere Packaging Applications.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) exhibits outstanding gas-barrier properties, which favor its use as a biodegradable, high-barrier coating on food-packaging films, possibly in combination with modified atmospheres. Nonetheless, its high sensitivity to water can result in a severe loss of barrier properties, significantly limiting its applications with fresh foods and in high-humidity conditions. In this work, the water vapor (P) and oxygen permeability (PO) of high-barrier biodegradable films with PVOH/PLA + wax double coatings were extensively characterized in a wide range of relative humidity (from 30 to 90%), aimed at understanding the extent of the interaction of water with the wax and the polymer matrices and the impact of this on the permeation process.

Understanding the Impact of Biodegradable Microplastics on Living Organisms Entering the Food Chain: A Review.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has emerged as one of the world's most serious environmental issues, with harmful consequences for ecosystems and human health. One proposed solution to their accumulation in the environment is the replacement of nondegradable plastics with biodegradable ones. However, due to the lack of true biodegradability in some ecosystems, they also give rise to biodegradable microplastics (BioMPs) that negatively impact different ecosystems and living organisms.

Development of Novel Blown Shrink Films from Poly(Lactide)/Poly(Butylene-Adipate-co-Terephthalate) Blends for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications.

Heat-shrinkable films, largely made of polyolefins and widely employed in the packaging sector as collation or barrier films, due to their short service life, are held responsible for high environmental impact. One possible strategy for reduction in their carbon footprint can be the use of biodegradable polymers. Thus, this work aimed to develop novel, heat-shrinkable, fully biodegradable films for green packaging applications and to analyze their functional performance.

Effect of PVOH/PLA + Wax Coatings on Physical and Functional Properties of Biodegradable Food Packaging Films.

Biodegradable polymers suffer from inherent performance limitations that severely limit their practical application. Their functionalization by coating technology is a promising strategy to significantly improve their physical properties for food packaging. In this study, we investigated the double coating technique to produce multifunctional, high barrier and heat-sealable biodegradable films.

Nanosilicates in Compatibilized Mixed Recycled Polyolefins: Rheological Behavior and Film Production in a Circular Approach.

Currently, plastic packaging represents a global challenge and has become a key point of attention for governments, media and consumers due to the visibility of the waste it generates. Despite their high resource efficiency, the perceived non-recyclability of polymeric films risks precluding them from being a relevant packaging solution in a circular economy approach. In this regard, the aim of this study was to implement a strategy to try closing the loop, via the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging of small size (denoted as Fil-s) to obtain new films.

Plastics in our ocean as transdisciplinary challenge.

This conference report summarizes the current challenges of researching microplastics pollution in the ocean as debated by international experts and stakeholders at a workshop held in San Sebastián, Spain, 1-2 October 2019. The transdisciplinary, co-learning approach of this report stressed the need to incorporate multiple perspective in solving the problem of microplastics and resulted in three proposed actions: (i) filtering microplastics from waste waters; (ii) mandatory ecolabels on plastic products packages; and (iii) circular economy of packaging plastics.