Abstract:
Single-use biodegradable bags have been
recently introduced as an environmental-benign
alternative to conventional plastics while addressing a
prevailing global issue. Natural corn starch is often used
as the key raw material due to the availability in large scale
worldwide. Despite the view of the general public over
biodegradable alternatives, existing studies regarding the
life cycle emissions provide a result opposed to it as
polythene is possible to recycle once or more. This study
follows the cradle-to-gate life cycle approach focusing on
the evaluation of environment emissions/eight impact
potentials using the ReCiPe world (H) V1.12 impact
assessment method in the SimaPro Life Cycle Assessment
software while analysing the degradation pattern of each
type with the aid of Scanning Electron Microscope. Key
findings from this study quantify the current levels of
environmental impacts that support future decision
making for environmentally-benign innovative product
from a possible alternative source.
