Environment Smart Bioplastics: A Systematic Review of Recent Updates

Abstract

Bioplastics have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics due to their biodegradability and reduced environmental footprint. This systematic review critically examines the recent advancements in bioplastics, focusing on their classification, sources, production methods, and biodegradability evaluation techniques. A total of 28 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Bioplastics were categorized into microbial-based (24%), plant-based (24%), biodegradable/compostable (12%), polymers and polyesters (16%), biopolymers (8%), synthetic (4%), and renewable resource-based types (12%). Production methods included microbial fermentation, chemical synthesis, agro-waste utilization, and blending with bio-based materials. Biodegradability was commonly assessed using degradation percentage over time (20%), weight loss measurement (18%), and anaerobic digestion (7%). Results revealed significant variability in degradation performance: polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) achieved up to 98% degradation under aerobic composting conditions (30–37°C, 28–168 days), while polylactic acid (PLA) exceeded 75% degradation in controlled marine conditions at 30°C within 28 days. Plant-based bioplastics demonstrated complete composting within three days under thermophilic composting temperatures (50–60°C). The review highlights the influence of production method, material composition, and environmental context on degradation efficiency. It concludes that while bioplastics show strong potential for sustainable waste management, future research should focus on standardization of biodegradability testing and improve cost-effective, scalable production techniques.