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Development and Evaluation of a Biodegradable Plant Pot from Carica papaya Agricultural Waste for Circular Economy and Sustainable Agro-entrepreneurship
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This study developed a biodegradable plant pot (BioPaya Pot) from papaya agricultural waste using glycerine and agar binders as an eco-friendly alternative to polybag plastic containers used in horticulture. As the pot decomposes, it enriches soil with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, illustrating circular economy principles by converting food waste into a product that reduces plastic pollution.
Malaysia is facing the growing environmental issues of food waste, significantly from agricultural by-products such as papaya peels and seeds, posing a notable challenge to sustainability. Simultaneously, the gardening sector produces large amounts of plastic pollution mainly through its extensive use of polybags. The BioPaya Pot addresses both critical problems by transforming fruit waste into biodegradable, eco- friendly plant pots, offering a groundbreaking alternative to plastic containers. Made from reused papaya waste, the BioPaya Pot incorporates organic binders such as glycerine and agar to form a flexible and durable material. As the pot decomposes, it enriches the soil with essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, promoting healthier plant growth without chemical fertilizers. This product serves two purposes by decreasing food waste while creating an eco-friendly alternative to plastic waste. The BioPaya Pot illustrates the principles of a circular economy, by repurposing agricultural waste into a valuable product. Its production fosters the development of green entrepreneurship and holds significant potential for expanding sustainable practices within the horticultural and urban agriculture sectors. The innovation targets gardeners, farmers, and environmental advocates, with benefits that include reducing landfill waste, promoting soil health, and minimizing plastic pollution. By revolutionizing the gardening industry, the BioPaya Pot has the potential to create lasting environmental and economic impact, fostering a cleaner, greener future.
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Scientists turned mango seeds—normally thrown away as food waste—into an ingredient for making plant-based plastics that break down naturally instead of sticking around for centuries like regular plastic. These mango-seed plastics could replace single-use items like bags and packaging, potentially cutting down on the microplastic pollution that's increasingly found in our water, food, and even our bodies. While the material is slightly less sturdy than conventional plastic, researchers say this can likely be fixed with further tweaks, making this a promising step toward greener, healthier packaging options.
Exploring Agricultural and Industrial Fruit-Based Waste/By-products for Eco-friendly Multifunctional Bio-based Food Packaging and Coating Materials
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Researchers reviewed how agricultural and industrial fruit waste — including peels, seeds, and pomace — can be converted into multifunctional bio-based food packaging materials with demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and shelf-life-extending properties, while identifying scalability and regulatory alignment as key barriers to widespread adoption.
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