Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments

Fileš, Martina; Ludaš, Anja; Ražić, Sanja Ercegović; Hudina, Sandra

doi:10.3390/su16062579

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments

¹

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

²

Department of Materials, Fibers and Textile Testing, Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb, Prilaz baruna Filipovića 28a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2579; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062579

Submission received: 15 January 2024 / Revised: 13 March 2024 / Accepted: 16 March 2024 / Published: 21 March 2024

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Textile Technologies in Sustainable Development, Production and Environmental Protection)

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Abstract

Biodegradable polymer-based bags were developed as an alternative to plastic. However, their degradation in environmental conditions has not been fully investigated and is often incomplete. Here, the decomposition of three types of biodegradable bags and one type of plastic bag in different types of environments was analyzed. Polymer bags were exposed for six weeks in water, soil, air and compost, while the control groups were stored in room conditions. All types of polymer bags were sampled twice (after 3 and 6 weeks), and different parameters of changes in physical–mechanical properties were measured. The research established significant differences in changes in mechanical properties between different types of biodegradable polymer bags, with ‘white’ and ‘brown’ bags showing the best decomposition potential. As expected, the largest change in the structure and physical–mechanical properties of all types of polymer bags was recorded in compost, and the smallest in air and water.

Keywords: environment; biodegradable polymers; physical–mechanical properties; damage of surface structure; waste

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MDPI and ACS Style

Fileš, M.; Ludaš, A.; Ražić, S.E.; Hudina, S. Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2579. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062579

AMA Style

Fileš M, Ludaš A, Ražić SE, Hudina S. Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments. Sustainability. 2024; 16(6):2579. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062579

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fileš, Martina, Anja Ludaš, Sanja Ercegović Ražić, and Sandra Hudina. 2024. "Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments" Sustainability 16, no. 6: 2579. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062579

APA Style

Fileš, M., Ludaš, A., Ražić, S. E., & Hudina, S. (2024). Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments. Sustainability, 16(6), 2579. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062579

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Analysis of the Mechanical Degradability of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Bags in Different Environments

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