Bioplastics: Kappaphycus Alvarezii, Arrowroot, Chitosan

Bioplastics are materials that are either degradable to a certain percentage or are made from biobased materials. Throughout the world, the total plastic consumption has drastically increased. As of recent numbers, plastic has now reached approximately 450 million tons. Recycling becomes a big topic when considering the rise of this figure. Every year, only 14-18% of all plastic waste is collected to be recycled. This problem of plastic waste could be solved through bioplastics, however, it requires further research for a bioplastic to be considered on par with standard fossil-fuel plastics. In regards to this, a question was asked, To what extent is a rigid, multi-use bioplastic made from a mixture of seaweed polysaccharides and root starches equal in strength to other commonly used plastic polymers, such as HDPE? For this study, three main ingredients were used: a species of red algae known as Kappaphycus alvarezii, a type of starch from an Arrowroot plant, and Chitosan in the form of powdered crustacean shells. Along with these core materials, additional items were added to improve shelf stability and flexibility. When it comes to this study, the goal here was to find a certain composition of materials that can rival the strength of ready made plastic. This was done through 4 main tests, which include flexure strength, elongation at break, biodegradability, and water resistance. Finally, once these tests were complete, they were compared to that of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a common rigid thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum.