Biodegradation of polymers in managing plastic waste — A review

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2022-03, Vol.813, p.151880-151880, Article 151880
• Main Authors: Lim, Berlinda Kwee Hong, Thian, Eng San
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biodegradability; Biodegradable polymers; biodegradation; Biodegradation standards; Biodegradation, Environmental; certification; composite polymers; Composting; consumer behavior; economic sustainability; environment; landfills; Microbial degradation; Plastics; Polymers; Recycling; starch; Waste Management; wastes
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151880

The modern economy that is fast-moving and convenience centric has led to excessive consumption of plastic. This has unwittingly led to egregious accumulation of plastic waste polluting the environment. Unfortunately, present means of plastic waste management have all been proven as less than adequate; namely recycling, landfill and incineration. Recent focus on plastic waste management has seen the confluence of the developments in biodegradable polymers and microbial engineering strategy for more expedient decomposition of plastic waste at composting facilities. This review paper is an assimilation of current developments in the areas of biodegradable polymer as well as microbial strategy towards management of polymer waste. Advents in biodegradable polymers have been promising, especially with aliphatic polyesters and starch in blends or co-polymers of these. Microbial strategies have been pursued for the identification of microbial strains and understanding of their enzymatic degradation process on polymers. New insights in these two areas have been focused in improving the rate of degradation of plastic waste at composting facilities. Recent alignment of testing and certification standards is outlined to give intimate insights into the mechanisms and factors influencing biodegradation. Despite recent milestones, economic viability of composting plastic waste in mainstream waste facilities is still a distance away. As it remains that a polymer that is biodegradable is functionally inferior to conventional polymers. Rather, it requires a shift in consumer behaviour to accept less durable biodegradable plastic products, this will then lower the threshold for biodegradable polymers to become a commercial reality. [Display omitted] •Composting as an effective means to manage plastic waste.•Confluence of developments in biodegradable polymers and microbial engineering strategy for composting at waste facilities.•Advents in aliphatic polyesters and starch in blends or co-polymers as biodegradable polymers.•Genetic engineering of microbial strains and their metabolic pathways to accelerate polymers biodegradation.•Alignment of testing and certification standards in buttressing these developments.