Papers

20 results
|
Article Tier 2

Physical and thermal properties of mycelium-composite materials made from cattail biomass for the manufacture of compostable coffee cups

Scientists created eco-friendly coffee cups using mushroom fibers (mycelium) grown on cattail plants, which could replace regular paper cups that are coated with plastic. These new cups resist water and heat well and would break down naturally after use, helping people avoid drinking microplastics that can leak from plastic-coated cups. The cups aren't strong enough for commercial use yet, but this research shows promise for healthier, compostable alternatives to current disposable cups.

2026 Discover Materials
Article Tier 2

Coaxyl-mask: Masker Ramah Lingkungan dari Sabut Kelapa (Cocos nucifera) dan Acetobacter xylinum

Researchers developed an eco-friendly disposable face mask called 'Coaxyl-mask' made from biocellulose fermented by Acetobacter xylinum and coconut husk (Cocos nucifera) fibers as a biodegradable alternative to conventional single-use plastic masks. The three-layer design incorporated water-repellent biocellulose films surrounding a coconut fiber filter, enabling rapid decomposition compared to standard disposable masks.

2022 FLUIDA 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Drinking Straw from Coconut Leaf: A Study of its Epicuticular Wax Content and Phenol Extrusion Properties

Drinking straws made from coconut leaves were studied as a plastic-free alternative, with testing showing they have natural wax coatings and structural properties suitable for use. The development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to plastic straws could help reduce single-use plastic waste.

2019 Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental Properties of Coconut Fiber/Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch/Beeswax Hybrid Composites

This study developed biodegradable composite materials from thermoplastic starch, beeswax, and coconut fiber as an alternative to conventional plastic. Bio-based composites that replace petroleum-derived plastics help reduce the sources of microplastic pollution in soil and water.

2023 Pertanika journal of science & technology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A Biodegradable Bamboo-Based Foam as a Cleaner Alternative to Petroleum-Based Cushioning Materials for Sustainable Fruit Packaging

Scientists created a new packaging foam made from bamboo that works just as well as plastic foam for protecting fruit during shipping, but completely breaks down in compost instead of creating lasting waste. This matters because traditional plastic packaging foams don't decompose and break into tiny pieces called microplastics that can end up in our food and water. The bamboo foam could help reduce our exposure to these harmful plastic particles while still keeping our food safe during transport.

2026 Polymers
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

Production of Cost-Effective Biodegradable Straw

Researchers developed a biodegradable drinking straw made from natural, chemical-free materials as an alternative to plastic straws. Plastic straws are a common source of single-use plastic pollution and potential microplastic generation in marine environments.

2021 International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan‐assisted magnetic coconut shell biochar for polystyrene microplastic removal: Mechanism and reusability

Researchers created a recyclable magnetic biochar material from coconut shells, modified with chitosan, that removed up to 91% of polystyrene microplastics from water. The material maintained its effectiveness through five consecutive reuse cycles, and water treated with the biochar actually promoted better plant growth, demonstrating practical potential for environmental cleanup.

2025 Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of Plastic and Coconut Shell (Cocos nucifera L.) on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of the 8/6 Composite Rafter

Researchers tested composite building materials made from waste plastic and coconut shell as an alternative to conventional wooden rafters in construction. Using plastic waste as a binding material in construction provides a potential pathway for diverting plastic waste from the environment while reducing demand for timber.

2023 Open Journal of Composite Materials
Article Tier 2

All-natural, hydrophobic, strong paper straws based on biodegradable composite coatings

Researchers developed an all-natural paper straw coated with a biodegradable mixture of sodium alginate, cellulose nanofibers, and stearic acid that avoids the microplastic problem of traditional plastic-coated straws. The coating made the straws water-resistant for over three hours while maintaining good strength, and the straws fully biodegraded in soil within about 45 days. The study offers a practical alternative to plastic straws that does not contribute to microplastic pollution during breakdown.

2024 Journal of Cleaner Production 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Natural Fibrous Materials as Eco-Friendly Air Filters

Researchers tested four natural fibrous materials—carbonized rice husks, rice husks, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut fiber—as potential eco-friendly alternatives to plastic-based HEPA filters and face masks. Carbonized rice husks showed the best quality factor among the bio-based materials, and all were free of the microplastic generation associated with synthetic filter materials.

2025 Journal of Natural Fibers
Article Tier 2

All-natural, hydrophobic, biodegradable cellulose-based straws through simultaneous esterification and filling with stearic acid for cold beverages

Researchers developed a biodegradable, all-natural straw made from bleached bamboo fibers and stearic acid as an alternative to plastic straws that generate microplastics. The straw achieved strong hydrophobicity, worked well in cold beverages including tea, coffee, and milk, and fully degraded in soil within 50 days. The study offers a promising green alternative that avoids both the microplastic pollution from plastic straws and the chemical additives used in conventional paper straws.

2024 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Pembuatan Styrofoam Ramah Lingkungan Dari Pati Singkong (Amilum manihot) Dengan Penambahan serbuk Cangkang Telur (Ova) Sebagai Filler

Researchers developed eco-friendly styrofoam alternatives using cassava starch as a substitute for conventional polystyrene-based packaging, which breaks down into environmentally persistent microplastics and contains the carcinogen benzene. The goal was to produce biodegradable foam packaging suitable for food use.

2024 Jurnal Integrasi Sains dan Qur an (JISQu) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Menstrual Pads from Hydrophytic Weeds: Sustainability Assessment, Absorption Performance, and Microbial Safety

Scientists created biodegradable menstrual pads using water hyacinth, an invasive water plant, that work just as well as regular pads but break down completely in soil within 60 days. These plant-based pads absorbed fluids quickly, stayed safe from harmful bacteria, and maintained a healthy pH level for skin contact. This matters because it offers women a safer, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pads that contain plastic and can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.

2026 Processes
Article Tier 2

A hydrophobic and degradable straw based on the ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose

Researchers developed a hydrophobic and biodegradable straw made from ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose as a microplastic-free alternative to conventional disposable plastic straws. The cellulose-based straw achieved the hydrophobicity needed for beverage use while remaining biodegradable, offering a sustainable substitute that avoids microplastic shedding during use and disposal.

2024
Article Tier 2

The Unique Morphology of Coconut Petiole Fibers Facilitates the Fabrication of Plant Composites with High Impact Performance

This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it investigates the mechanical and structural properties of coconut petiole fiber composites with polylactic acid (PLA) for manufacturing applications.

2023 Polymers 6 citations
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

Hybrid Chitin-Coffee Ground Biochar Foam for Microplastic Adsorption

Researchers developed a sustainable hybrid foam made from waste seafood chitin and used coffee ground biochar for filtering microplastics from water. The study found that the foam achieved consistently high adsorption efficiency across seawater, river water, and deionized water, particularly for polystyrene microspheres larger than 1 micrometer, offering an eco-friendly approach to microplastic removal.

2026 American journal of student research.
Article Tier 2

Exploring the frontier of sustainable alternatives: Design, development, and evaluation of mushroom-based edible cups utilizing Agaricus bisporus

Researchers explored the feasibility of making edible cups from button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) powder as a sustainable alternative to disposable plastic cups. The mushroom-based cups are compostable, require less energy to produce, and generate less waste than conventional plastics. While challenges remain around cost and scalability, the study suggests these cups have meaningful commercial potential for reducing plastic pollution in food packaging.

2025 Journal of Current Research in Food Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-Adhesives Combined with Lotus Leaf Fiber to Prepare Bio-Composites for Substituting the Plastic Packaging Materials

Researchers prepared biodegradable composite packaging materials by combining natural bio-adhesives with lotus leaf fiber, testing mechanical and thermal properties. Natural fiber composites offer an alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.

2021 JOURNAL OF RENEWABLE MATERIALS 7 citations