Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

A Review on Replacing Food Packaging Plastics with Nature-Inspired Bio-Based Materials

Researchers reviewed bio-based materials inspired by nature as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based food packaging plastics. The study highlights that while conventional plastic packaging is effective for food preservation, its environmental impact has driven research into biodegradable and compostable alternatives that could reduce plastic waste and microplastic generation.

2025 Foods 9 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Review on Biopolymer-Based Biodegradable Film for Food Packaging: Trends over the Last Decade and Future Research

This systematic review explores biodegradable packaging made from natural materials like starch and proteins as alternatives to conventional plastics. Reducing plastic packaging is important because traditional plastics break down into microplastics that contaminate food and the environment.

2023 Polymers 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-based and Sustainable Food Packaging Technology: Relevance, Challenges and Prospects

A review assessed bio-based and sustainable food packaging technologies, evaluating their relevance as replacements for conventional plastic packaging that generates microplastic pollution. The study identifies the most promising materials and the barriers to scaling up plastic-free food packaging.

2025 Journal of Biomaterials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-Based Disposable Containers for Food Services

This review examines the development of biodegradable, plant-based disposable food containers as alternatives to conventional petrochemical plastics. Researchers found that natural fibers combined with bio-based adhesives offer a cost-effective and sustainable approach, though scaling up production remains a challenge. The study highlights the potential for these materials to reduce plastic pollution from the food service industry.

2024 Advances in Polymer Technology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental Impact of Food Packaging Materials: A Review of Contemporary Development from Conventional Plastics to Polylactic Acid Based Materials

This review examined the environmental impacts of conventional food packaging plastics and assessed biopolymer alternatives such as PLA, discussing production from renewable feedstocks, material performance properties, and the potential for bioplastics to reduce fossil plastic waste in the packaging sector.

2020 Materials 627 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Packaging : a Key to Environmental Sustainability

This paper reviews biodegradable packaging alternatives to conventional plastics, arguing that plant-based materials can reduce microplastic pollution in oceans, soil, and food systems. The authors survey available materials and manufacturing methods as part of a broader case for environmental sustainability.

2024 International Association of Biologicals and Computational Digest
Article Tier 2

Comprehensive overview of sustainable food packaging material alternatives

This review provides a comprehensive overview of alternative packaging materials being developed to replace conventional plastics, including biodegradable plastics, cellulose, bamboo, edible packaging, and nano-cellulose. Researchers found that recycling plastics and producing bioplastics have not yet proven to be fully effective solutions, and the environmental impact of many alternatives remains unclear. The study notes that while no single alternative can fully replace plastic packaging, emerging materials show promise for reducing environmental impact and waste.

2025 Cognitive Sustainability 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Materials

This paper reviews advances in nanocomposite and biopolymer-based food packaging materials, noting that microplastic pollution has been detected globally and is a recognized threat to ecosystem and human health. It briefly contextualises microplastics as a motivation for developing biodegradable packaging alternatives, though the primary focus is materials science rather than microplastics research per se.

2023
Article Tier 2

Plastic Cutlery Alternative: Case Study with Biodegradable Spoons

Researchers produced biodegradable spoons from natural materials as an alternative to plastic cutlery, evaluating their texture, antioxidant activity, and polyphenol content to assess feasibility as an environmentally friendly disposable option.

2021 Foods 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancements in the biopolymer films for food packaging applications: a short review

This review covers advances in biodegradable biopolymer films being developed to replace conventional plastic food packaging, which breaks down into microplastics that contaminate soil and water. While these plant-based alternatives show promise for reducing microplastic pollution, they still need improvements in strength and durability before they can compete with conventional plastics at commercial scale.

2024 Biotechnology for Sustainable Materials 43 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Sustainable Perspectives of Disposable Tableware: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examined research on disposable tableware — plates, cups, and utensils — focusing on environmental impact and food safety. Disposable plastic items can leach chemicals and release microplastics into food, especially when heated. The review highlights the need for safer, more sustainable alternatives to reduce both environmental pollution and our daily exposure to plastic particles.

2025 Sustainability 3 citations
Article Tier 2

A Comprehensive Review of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Films and Coatings and Their Food Packaging Applications

This review covers the development of biodegradable polymer-based films and coatings as alternatives to conventional plastic food packaging. While these bio-based materials reduce long-term environmental pollution, the review notes that they can still break down into microplastic particles under certain conditions. The shift to biodegradable packaging may reduce but not eliminate the food packaging contribution to microplastic pollution and human exposure.

2022 Materials 221 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable and edible film: A counter to plastic pollution

This paper reviews biodegradable and edible films as alternatives to conventional plastic packaging in the food industry, which contributes a major share of global plastic waste. While not a complete solution, these alternative materials could meaningfully reduce plastic pollution if adopted more widely in food packaging applications.

2020 International Journal of Chemical Studies 18 citations
Review Tier 2

Current trends in biopolymers for food packaging: a review

This review covers the latest developments in biopolymer-based food packaging, including biodegradable films, edible coatings, and active or smart packaging systems. Researchers found that while these sustainable alternatives show promise, they still face challenges in matching the moisture, heat, and barrier properties of conventional petroleum-based plastics. The study highlights ongoing efforts to improve these materials so they can realistically replace traditional plastic packaging.

2023 Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 130 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in food packaging: Analytical methods, health risks, and sustainable alternatives

This review examines how microplastics from food packaging materials can migrate into the food we eat during storage and handling. It evaluates analytical methods for detecting this contamination and suggests biodegradable polymers as promising eco-friendly alternatives, while noting that standardized testing methods and risk assessment frameworks are still needed.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Benefits and Drawbacks of Bioplastic as an Alternative of Conventional Plastic towards Sustainable Plastic T

This review examines bioplastics derived from renewable biomass sources (such as corn starch, vegetable oils, and food waste) as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics, evaluating their benefits and drawbacks across environmental performance, biodegradability, and scalability. The article explores whether bioplastics represent a viable pathway toward more sustainable plastic use given growing concerns over the non-biodegradable nature and resource intensity of conventional plastics.

2024 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRIWORLD
Article Tier 2

Edible cutlery: An eco-friendly replacement for plastic cutlery

This review assessed edible cutlery as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic utensils, examining preparation methods, material options, and potential health benefits of plant-based edible products. The authors argue that edible cutlery can reduce microplastic contamination in food chains while simultaneously providing nutritional or therapeutic value.

2022 Journal of Applied and Natural Science 14 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review of Nonbiodegradable and Biodegradable Composites for Food Packaging Application

This review compares nonbiodegradable and biodegradable composite materials for food packaging, examining mechanical properties, barrier performance, and end-of-life degradation behavior. The authors identify biodegradable composites as technically feasible alternatives to conventional plastic packaging but highlight cost and processing challenges that currently limit their widespread commercial adoption.

2022 Journal of Chemistry 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Packaging Materials for Foods Preservation: Sources, Advantages, Limitations, and Future Perspectives

This review examines biodegradable packaging materials derived from natural sources as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics for food preservation. Researchers found that materials made from polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids can effectively extend food shelf life while being more environmentally friendly. The study acknowledges that cost and performance limitations remain, but highlights recent advances in combining these natural materials with antimicrobial and antioxidant agents to improve their practical viability.

2023 Coatings 87 citations
Article Tier 2

The Green Era of Food Packaging: General Considerations and New Trends

This review covered the shift toward sustainable food packaging materials including biopolymers and biodegradable blends as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. The authors highlighted active packaging innovations where bio-based materials incorporate antimicrobial or antioxidant properties while meeting food safety and shelf-life requirements.

2022 Polymers 65 citations