PREPARATION OF SIMPLE STARCH-BASED BIOPLASTIC WITH ADDITION OF TEA WASTE

Abstract

Due to the negative impacts of fossil fuel plastics, the development of bioplastic is essential for both industrial and commercial levels. Researchers have developed various starch-based bioplastics tea waste can be used as raw material and the newest and greener product for different applications. This work mainly targeted to investigate for feasible synthesizing starch-based bioplastic with addition of tea waste. In this study for the analyzing purpose the prepared bioplastic was subjected to thickness measurement, soil biodegradability test, moisture content test, water absorption test and visual analysis for colour changes. The synthesized bioplastic was assessed by the soil burial methods in two different depths. The results have shown that the degradation rate was higher so it exhibited faster degradation in soil mixture. And also, Physical properties changing were indicated in the Soil burial test and on the l4th day some cracks were observed on the top of the bioplastic sample and broken in 2nd week of experiment. The colour of the bioplastic sample also changed and became darker than the initial colour. After 7 days of the moisture content test the bioplastic samples showed 29.94% moisture loss. Through this greener, biodegradable and sustainable production, represent a step toward the development of industrial and achieve reduction in the negative environmental impacts.