Aerobic and anaerobic microbial degradation in the wastewater treatment process affected by the presence of biodegradable packaging material made from plant by-products

Abstract The paper explores how biodegradable packaging materials influence microbial respiration in activated sewage sludge. Experiments were conducted to measure biological oxygen demand (BOD) and anaerobic biodegradation, evaluating the biodegradability and methane production potential of different bioplastic samples. These bioplastics often contain metal additives like silver, zinc, and titanium, which are incorporated to enhance antimicrobial properties, durability, and functionality. The presence of these metals can influence the degradation behavior of the materials, affecting both aerobic and anaerobic processes. Understanding the role of these additives is crucial for evaluating the environmental impact and efficiency of biodegradable packaging. Findings reveal that bioplastics containing silver nanoparticles and those without metals biodegrade effectively. Despite these variations, all samples consistently produced methane, indicating their suitability for anaerobic digestion processes. The findings suggest that the integration of bioplastics into waste management systems could provide a dual benefit of waste reduction and energy production through methane capture, though further analysis is needed to understand the practical energy potential. This work contributes novel insights into how metal-containing biodegradable materials could influence biodegradation processes in real-world applications, advancing the development of more sustainable packaging solutions.