Beyond Plastics: Exploring Eco-Friendly Alternatives in Food Packaging – A Review of Both Biodegradable and Bio-based Bioplastic Materials.

Due to the increased levels of environmental degradation arising from conventional plastics, there is a rise in appropriate interventions, especially in the food packaging industry. Covering the basics of conventional plastics, their usage, and potential harm, one must turn their attention to bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from renewable sources like starch, cellulose, polylactic acid (PLA), and proteins. This review provides detailed coverage of the bio-based polymers and bioplastics such as synthetic bioplastics, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), PLA, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polycaprolactone (PCL), and starch-based, cellulose-based, and protein-based bioplastics. This allows one to understand the various characteristics they possess and how effective they could be when used in food packaging. Effects on the environment, effectiveness on the economy, biodegradable ability of the product, and its effects on the environment at different stages of life, regulatory boundaries, and safety measures are assessed. However, the bioplastics present some difficulties in attaining the required mechanical and barrier properties, degradation of the biodegradable polymers, and limitations in processing. Moreover, correlates that affect the acceptance of the products by consumers and the position of the role of regulatory frameworks in the use of bioplastics are presented. According to the review made, it is found out that bioplastics, if promoted in the right way, have a high potential to be used as sustainable food packaging material; however, more research needs to be done, the policies should be more supportive, and the consumers need to be sensitized in order to bring more improvement in the use of bioplastics.