Scientists invent way to produce environmentally friendly plastic from pineapples

A team of researchers from universities in Thailand and Malaysia have collaborated to develop a unique kind of bioplastic sheet that is good for the environment and can decompose naturally.

Report informs via foreign media that they made this bioplastic sheet using a byproduct of the bromelain industry which used the leftover pineapple stems from agricultural waste. This new type of bioplastic sheet has the potential to be used as single-use packaging material, as an alternative to the use of harmful plastic sheet, contributing to a more sustainable way of doing business and promoting a circular economy. The research is published in the journal Polymers.

Plastic waste is a big problem for the environment, especially small plastics like bread clips that are hard to recycle or dispose of, and could negatively affect living organisms.

To tackle this issue using starch-based materials, the team used the starch from the pineapple stems as the main ingredient. They added glycerol and calcium carbonate to make the material easy to shape and strong. By altering the amounts of these ingredients, the team made samples with different strengths and properties.

The resulting material could resist water and didn't soak up as much water as other similar materials. When the team buried it in the soil, it completely broke down into tiny pieces in just two weeks. The team even made a test version of a bread clip using this material, and it worked well in holding a bag closed. This study shows that using pineapple stem starch can be a good and eco-friendly choice instead of using plastics made from petroleum or other plant materials. It's a step toward a more sustainable way of making small plastic products and promoting a circular economy.