Abstract

Novel biodegradable packaging materials based on recycled polyethylene waste

Author(s): Nirmal K.Patel, Vijay Kumar Sinha

Plastics packing material are collected, separated, cleaned from solid impurities, washed and polyethylene wastes are recycled by solventrecrystallization method using xylene and methanol. Recycled polythene was blended with starch, sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated starch (Na-PCMS) and starch acetate (SA) in different amount by usingBra bender mixer. The resulting blend,were tested forMelt FlowIndex, Flexural Strength, Tensile Strength, % elongation and Durometer hardness. Also tensile properties of recycled polyethylene were analyzed. Properties of recycled blend composition were found better compare to recycled polyethylene and virgin Lowdensity polyethylene. Biodegradation of blend composition was carried out by Bacillus species. After regular interval blend composition were analysed for%weight loss, total cellular protein and tensile properties. After thirty days 46%blend compositionwere consumed byBacillus species. Further, Surface morphology of blend composition before and after degradation was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).