Biodegradable Packaging: An Environmental Friendly Alternative to Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)

Abstract

Since hundreds of millions of tons of non-biodegradable packaging, such as expanded polystyrene, are manufactured each year, solutions that significantly reduce their environmental impact are urgently needed. The goal of this research is to create an innovative method for replacing traditional packaging with biodegradable packaging that will aid in the achievement of sustainable development goals. To that purpose, biowaste elements like rice husk and wheat straw were combined with binders like corn starch and wax to create the packaging materials. Rice husk and wheat straw were combined with maize starch and wax as a binder to create a packaging material and to determine the best one that has equivalent qualities to that of traditional packaging materials. The developed biodegradable packaging undergoes characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and contact angle. SEM analysis indicates the densely interconnected morphology of packaging materials. XRD analysis confirms the presence of chemical components inside the sample. FTIR analysis reveals C-C, C-H, C-O bonding inside the material. TGA analysis confirms that material withstand thermal resistance up to 450oC. Contact angle measurement revealed that all the materials developed are hydrophobic in nature. The measurement of contact angles revealed that all of the materials developed are hydrophobic in nature. Mechanical properties such as compression and flexural strength were calculated. When exposed to a force of 30 KN, the wheat straw with corn starch binder displayed the maximum compression strength, with a stress of 219 N/mm2 and a strain of 80%. In comparison, the tension in the EPS sample was 10 N/mm2 and the strain was 92%. Flexural strength examination revealed that when subjected to a force of 30 KN, the rice husk sample achieved a stress of 0.24 N/mm2 and a strain of 0.54%. As a result, the rice husk and wheat straw composite with corn starch binder outperformed EPS in terms of mechanical qualities. Swelling behavior research revealed a modest change in sample weight, indicating a limited ability for water absorption. Biodegradability testing indicated that the material was biodegradable, which aligned with the goal of generating ecologically friendly packaging options.