Valorization of Invasive Plant Species into High-Value Bioplastics: An EcoInnovative Strategy

Abstract

Two of the biggest environmental problems facing the globe today are plastic pollution and the unchecked growth of exotic plant species. This study investigates the production of biodegradable bioplastics from invasive plants including Lantana camara and Eichhornia crassipes, or water hyacinth. Due to their high cellulose content, these plants can be used as raw materials for the development of sustainable bioplastics. Biomass collection, cellulose extraction, mixing with starch and glycerol, and film manufacturing are all steps in the process. Good mechanical strength and biodegradability are anticipated in the bioplastics that are created. This method uses waste plant biomass while lowering reliance on polymers derived from petroleum. Additionally, it aids in the restoration of natural ecosystems and the management of exotic species. Sustainable resource management and a circular bioeconomy are supported by the value-adding of invasive species. The work shows how to produce high-value bioplastics with potential uses in packaging and agriculture in an environmentally acceptable manner. All things considered, bioplastics made from invasive plants present a viable way to manage invasive species and reduce plastic pollution..