Bioplastics: paving the green path forward

This review investigates the domain of bioplastics, introducing bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. It explores a range of feedstocks employed in bioplastic production, including plant-based polymers, microbial-synthesized biopolymers, and materials sourced from agricultural and industrial waste. Numerous methodologies have been examined in terms of their capacity to strengthen the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of bioplastics, striving to address the performance gap with traditional plastics. The review paper also examines the producers’ ability to manage biodegradability and recyclability and their consilience with current waste management systems. Additionally, the study surveys patterns in other sectors about contemporary and developing usage of bioplastics from various sectors, factoring in factors such as production cost-effectiveness, capacity to scale, and compliance with applicable regulations. By consolidating existing research, this review provides an extensive assessment of bioplastics development, emphasizing their potential as eco-friendly alternatives within a closed-loop economy model.