scholarly journals Plastic Food Packaging: Perceptions and Attitudes of Portuguese Consumers about Environmental Impact and Recycling

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9953
Author(s):  
Morgana Weber Macena ◽  
Rita Carvalho ◽  
Luísa Paula Cruz-Lopes ◽  
Raquel P. F. Guiné
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Plastic Packages ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Strongly Agree

The use of plastics for packaging has some advantages, since they are flexible and inexpensive. However, most plastics are of single use, which, combined with low recycling or reuse ratios, contributes substantially to environmental pollution. This work is part of a project studying the habits of Portuguese citizens concerning plastic food packaging and focuses on aspects related to sustainability. The survey was carried out via an online questionnaire about sustainability, recycling, and knowledge of the effects of plastic materials or their residues on the environment. The results were obtained based on a statistical analysis of the data. The participants tend to think about the negative impact of plastic packages on the environment; 39% sometimes do not buy plastic; and 30% try to look for alternatives. A substantial fraction, 81%, support the avoidance of plastic utensils and reduction in the use of plastic bags. Most participants have a good knowledge of recycling and strongly agree with the use of recycled materials, and 87% of respondents practice separation of different types of waste for recycling. Changing plastic consumption habits has not been an easy task. Nevertheless, it is expected that society will increasingly move toward sustainable habits, questioning its actions and considering their impact on the environment.

Determination of Bio Content in Polymers used in the Packaging of food Products

Radiocarbon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1973-1981
Author(s):  
C Telloli ◽  
A Rizzo ◽  
C Canducci ◽  
P Bartolomei
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Liquid Scintillation ◽  
Scintillation Counting ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Scintillation Method

ABSTRACTThe ENEA Radiocarbon Laboratory (Bologna, Italy) has been operating since 1985; it is the oldest among such laboratories operating in Italy and has been active for about 30 years in the field of dating of different types of samples with the radiocarbon (14C) liquid scintillation method. This study shows the detailed procedure for radiocarbon analysis on bioplastic materials by means of the synthesis of benzene, which includes CO2 production and purification, synthesis of acetylene, and synthesis and collection of benzene. The changes made to the original design of the synthesis procedures and the operational parameters adopted to optimize the combustion of the plastic materials are described. The measurement of 14C activity was performed using the liquid scintillation counting technique by a QuantulusTM 1220 low-background counter. The δ13C content was compared with the percentage of 14C concentration for the characterization of the bio content in plastic used in the food packaging.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Functional Barrier Properties of Chitosan Acetate Films with Conventionally Applied Polymers

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 3491
Author(s):  
Andrea Walzl ◽  
Samir Kopacic ◽  
Wolfgang Bauer ◽  
Erich Leitner
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Films ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Recycled Paper ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Oil Hydrocarbons ◽  
Migration Experiment ◽  
Materials Used

The current demand to cut back on the use of plastic materials has brought a major boost to the search for bio-based alternatives. Not only are plastic bags and primary food packaging under scrutiny here, but also those materials used as functional barriers to reduce, for example, the migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) from recycled paper and board packaging. Most of the barriers now in use are synthetic, often have only moderate barrier functionalities and in addition reduce the environmentally-friendly character of cellulose-based materials. Against this background, bio-based polymers have been evaluated in terms of their functional barrier properties. Chitosan was found to be among the best performers in these materials. In this study, the behavior of a lab-made chitosan acetate film was compared with conventionally produced polymer films. The two-sided migration experiment described recently was used to determine the barrier properties of the tested materials. This not only allowed to test the intrinsic migration of the films and the permeation through them, but also to simulate real packaging situations by using a recycled paper as donor for MOH. The migrated fractions were determined using gas-chromatography-based techniques. While the conventionally produced polymer films showed only moderate barrier function, excellent results were seen for the biopolymer. It reduced the migration from the recycled paper to not detectable, singling it out as a good alternative to conventional materials.

scholarly journals Use of Waste Generated during the Manufacture of Bioplastics from Sewage Sludge

Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
N. Anes García ◽  
F. Blanco Álvarez ◽  
A. L. Marqués Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Fertilizer Value ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Petroleum Derivatives ◽  
By Products ◽  
Plastic Products

There is an evolution and progress that has been taking place in recent years in science and technology and in the evolution of polymers that have created new plastic materials with excellent physical properties and durability. However, the plastic products that are made, generally have several applications, but for a single use, especially if it is in the part of food packaging, or for the pharmaceutical industry, in medical applications. Since these materials are not biodegradable, they remain on the surface of the earth for hundreds of years without considerable changes in their structure, causing pollution and damage to wildlife and the environment. With this research we intend to eliminate these plastics from petroleum derivatives, by biodegradable plastics. At the same time, the use of the generated by-products is sought, giving them an energy, thermal or fertilizer value.

scholarly journals Microplastic pollution in the sediment of Jakarta Bay, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 930 (1) ◽  
pp. 012010
Author(s):  
A Azizi ◽  
W N Setyowati ◽  
S Fairus ◽  
D A Puspito ◽  
D S Irawan
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Density Separation ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Infra Red ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
One Way Anova

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased use of plastic for personal protective equipment (PPE), single-use plastic bags, and food packaging raised significant environmental concerns. This study aimed to investigate the shape, abundance, and type of microplastics in the sediment of Jakarta Bay, specifically Tanjung Priok, Ancol Beach, and Sunda Kelapa Port. Sediment was collected using an Ekman sediment grab sampler and was extracted using the density separation method. The microplastics were counted and categorized according to the shape under a microscope. The differences in microplastic abundance in three different stations were determined using a one-way ANOVA. The polymer of microplastics was identified using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR). The results show that the abundance of the microplastics from coastal sediment was highest in the Sunda Kelapa Port (45066.67 ± 5205.13 particle/kg dry weight), which is significantly different (p<0.05) from Tanjung Priok (40533.33 ± 2444.04 particle/kg dry weight) and Ancol Beach (34666.67 ± 2444.04 particle/kg dry weight). Fragments dominated the shape of microplastic in Tanjung Priok, Ancol Beach, and Sunda Kelapa Post, comprising 36%, 40%, 38%, respectively, followed by fiber, film, and pellet. The FT-IR tests indicated that polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide are the most prevalent microplastic polymers.

scholarly journals Slow degradation of compostable plastic carrier bags in a stream and its riparian area

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Maxime Artru ◽  
Antoine Lecerf
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Products ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Plastic Mass ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mesh Bags ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Alder Leaf Litter ◽  
Compostable Plastic

There is no place on Earth where plastic debris could not be found. Impacts of plastics on aesthetics, biota and ecosystems are dependent on how long plastic items last, and what degradation products are released, in recipient environments. As bio-based plastics tend to replace petroleum-based plastics in everyday life, it is important to upgrade knowledge on the degradation of new polymers in natural environments. Single-use plastic carrier bags are nowadays made of bio-plastics certified as biodegradable and compostable. It is unclear, however, whether claims of biodegradability and compostability can be taken as evidence of rapid degradation of plastic bags outside recycling/composting facilities. This study sought to provide quantified information about the degradation of compostable plastic carrier bags in streams and riparian zones. We found that plastic samples enclosed in different types of mesh bags lost weight at extremely slow rates, albeit significant when submerged in a stream. 95% of initial plastic mass remained after 77 days spent in water whereas alder leaf litter allowed to decompose under the same condition had completely disappeared before the end of the study. Determination of respiration rate and invertebrate abundance in plastic samples showed a greater decomposer activity in the stream than in the riparian environment. However, biotically-mediated degradation by decomposers was probably overridden by dissolution processes in mediating plastic mass loss. Our findings suggest that mismanaged plastic carrier bags could impact recipient ecosystems even when they are claimed as biodegradable or compostable.

scholarly journals Ecobrick Method To Reduce Plastic Waste In Tanjung Mekar Village, Karawang Regency

2021 ◽  
Vol 004 (01) ◽  
pp. 022-029
Author(s):  
Dwi Ariyani ◽  
Niken Warastuti ◽  
Resti Arini
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Plastic Material ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Automotive Components ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Compressive Strength Test ◽  
Eco Village

According to a survey by Nova Chemicals, Indonesia is the second largest contributor to sea waste after China, which is 1.29 million metric tons / year. At present there are still many people in Indonesia who throw garbage in any place, and can caused flooding in the river. The river is polluted with a lot of waste, one of which is the Citarum River. Citarum River is a river that is very important for residents of West Java. The condition of the Citarum River which is very alarming is polluted by waste and garbage. In the world's leading survey site, the Citarum River occupies the 4th position for the dirtiest river problem. The rubbish that pollutes the Citarum River is more inorganic or unbiodegradable, for example plastic, bottles or beverage cups, plastic food wrapping, and so on. As we know plastic waste is very difficult to decompose, it takes more than 100 years to decompose the plastic decomposed or decompose completely. Plastic waste is one source of environmental pollution in Indonesia. The benefits of using plastic products must be balanced with the calculation of the negative impact produced. The nature of this plastic material makes it difficult to replace it with other materials for various applications, especially in everyday life ranging from food packaging, household appliances, children's toys, electronics to automotive components. Increased use of plastic materials has resulted in increased production of plastic waste from year to year. The destruction of plastic waste by burning will only worsen the health because of the anti-dioxy substance produced. The most appropriate method used in dealing with waste is to use the Ecobrick method. The team of Pancasila University wanted to socialize how to make an ecobrick, and how strong the compressive on the ecobrick material was made. To overcome waste, especially plastic along the Citarum river. This socialization was held in Tanjung Mekar Village, Karawang Barat sub-district, Karawang Regency. The participants coming from the community of environmentalists (Eco Village). Community of eviromentalists hope will provide direction and socialization to their about the ecobrick method to deal with plastic waste that cannot be recycled. From the results of testing carried out at the Pancasila University concrete laboratory using ecobrick materials is plastic bottles filled with pure plastic, filled with sand, and a mixture of plastic and sand compared to red brick and concrete brick sold in the market, from the compressive strength test results it is known that the material ecobrick which contains of sand shows the greatest compressive strength value is 41.2 Mpa, compared to red brick which is 27 Mpa and concrete brick is 38 Mpa ecobrick has a higher compressive strength than other materials

scholarly journals Phthalates in Food Packaging-Impact on Human Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Lovrenović ◽  
Nevena Mirjanić ◽  
Slaven Grbić
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Phthalic Acid ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Aliphatic Alcohols ◽  
Plastic Materials

Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and aliphatic alcohols. It is widely used in everyday life, and can be used as a plasticizer, solvents and additives in many products, from food packaging to items of general use. Plastic materials are widely used in food industry and potentially can be source of phtalates in food. Phtalates can be present in food as a result of contamination of food. Phtalates in food, as a result of contamination of food or migration from packaging can jeopardiye human health. This work provides an overview of the presence of phthalates in food packaging, its migration into food, as well as the negative impact on human health by consuming and inhaling them.

scholarly journals Analisis Kalor Pada Alat Pengolah Sampah Plastik Dengan Metode Pyrolisis Dengan Perbandingan Tipe Sampah Plastik

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Ahmad Yunus Nasution
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
The Third ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Fourth Experiment ◽  
Modern Era

In this modern era, the use of plastic is very much in the community, this alone makes the accumulation of plastic waste. And the nature of plastic waste has properties that are difficult to decompose and even need hundreds of years, this is also what makes the accumulation of plastic waste. Of the menabahnya amount of plastic such as plastic materials that can only be used and thrown for example are mineral water bottles, plastic bags or plastic food wrappers and This type of sterofoam waste is the most widely used and most piles of garbage collection.In my analysis process the plastic that will be processed using the pyrolysis method is rubbish whose category is plastic waste made from vinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, silicone, urethane , which we can find most of its use as food packaging or household plastic appliances. Comparison of the first plastic garbage type of type 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester) and type 2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) , with the amount of plastic waste ratio of 1: 1. Comparison to two types of 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester) and type 4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) , with a ratio of 1: 1 plastic waste. Comparison of all three types of 1 : Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester) and type 6: Polystyrene (PS) , the amount of plastic waste ratio of 1: 1.Results from this study obtain data Data obtained from PET & HDPE experiments obtained oil and heat obtained from experiments 1 to 5. On The first experiment oil obtained was 0.15 Liters and Heat for evaporation of material was 2829.78 kJ. On The Second experiment oils obtained were 0.74 Liters and Heat for the evaporation of material 2829.78 kJ . On The third experiment oil obtained was 0.74 liters and heat for the evaporation of material 2829.78 kJ. On The Fourth experiment oils obtained were 0.74 Liters and Heat for the evaporation of material 2829.78 kJ . On The Fifth experiment oils obtained were 0.74 Liters and Heat for evaporation of the material 2829.78 Kj .Data obtained from PET & LDPE experiments obtained oil and heat obtained from experiments 1 to 5. On The First experiment oil obtained was 0.47 Liters and Heat for evaporation of 4119.3 kJ material . On The Second experiment oils obtained were 0.51 Liters and Heat for evaporation of 4334.22 kJ material . On The third experiment oil obtained was 0.36 liters and heat for evaporation of material 4226.76 kJ . On The Fourth experiment oils obtained were 0.44 Liters and Heat for evaporation of 5014.8 kJ material . On The Fifth experiment oils obtained were 0.5 Liters and Heat for the evaporation of ingredients 4477.5 Kj.

scholarly journals Relationships between Physical and Social Behavioural Changes and the Mental Status of Homebound Residents in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6653
Author(s):  
Ben Y. F. Fong ◽  
Martin C. S. Wong ◽  
Vincent T. S. Law ◽  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Tommy K. C. Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Strain

In Hong Kong, social distancing has been adopted in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the changes in physical health, mental health, and social well-being experienced by local residents who were homebound during the pandemic. An online questionnaire in both Chinese and English versions was completed by 590 eligible participants from 24 April to 13 May 2020. The questionnaire found that individuals aged 18 to 25 years spent more time resting and relaxing but experienced more physical strain. Working status was associated with social contact, with participants working full-time jobs scoring higher in “maintaining social communication via electronic means” and “avoiding social activities outside the home”. Additionally, approximately one third of the participants (29.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and participants aged 18 to 25 were found to have higher scores in PHQ-9. Changes in physical health and social contact were significantly associated with developing depressive symptoms. From the results, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exert a negative impact on the mental health status of individuals.

scholarly journals ECO-DESIGN ACTIONS TO IMPROVE LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF FACE MASKS IN THE PANDEMIC ERA

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1333-1342
Author(s):  
Núria Boix Rodríguez ◽  
Marco Marconi ◽  
Claudio Favi ◽  
Giovanni Formentini
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Near Future

AbstractFace masks are currently considered essential devices that people must wear today and in the near future, until the COVID-19 pandemic will be completely defeated through specific medicines and vaccines. Such devices are generally made of thermoplastic polymers, as polypropylene and polyethylene and are single use products. Even if in this period the sanitary emergency must have the maximum priority, the world society should not completely forget the environmental problem that are causing more and more obvious climate changes with correlated damages to ecosystems and human health. Despite the well-known correlation among anti-COVID protective equipment (or more generally medical devices) and environmental issues, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and eco-design-based studies in this field is very scarce. The present study aims to derive the most important environmental criticalities of such products, by using LCA and product circularity indicators of five different common masks. The final aim is to provide eco-design guidelines, useful to design new face masks by preventing negative impact on the environment.

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