Developing biodegradable packaging films and beads from agricultural residues
Abstract
Agricultural waste is produced in large amounts worldwide. These are often discarded despite being valuable sources of cellulose and renewable, biodegradable products. At the same time, rising environmental concerns about petroleum-based plastic packaging have created demand for sustainable alternatives. Introducing K-12 students to biodegradable packaging materials developed from agricultural waste can enhance understanding of sustainability, basic materials science, and circular bioeconomy concepts while encouraging interest in STEM fields. Another concern is the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water, which can pose serious risks to human health. Traditional coagulation agents, such as ferric and aluminum salts, are less effective at removing microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water. In this regard, alginate, a sustainable, non-toxic natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed, can be used to remove these microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water. Using agricultural waste and a natural polysaccharide as raw materials, we developed two hands-on lessons: Lesson 1: Development of cellulose-based biodegradable films from agricultural residues, and Lesson 2: Colored Jelly Beads and Strings from Alginate (Natural Polysaccharide). In the first lesson, students extract cellulose from plant waste. Then they use this cellulose to create thin, biodegradable films similar to plastic. Through this activity, students observe how the films form…
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