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The drastic increase in the amount of packaging waste from conventional plastics, caused by improper waste management, is a serious challenge for the planet. It is therefore worth considering how we can solve this problem. Thus, it is necessary to develop new polymeric materials that retain the functional properties of traditional plastics but are susceptible to degradation with the participation of microorganisms. The development of new eco-friendly materials requires a holistic approach in terms of their disposal. Organic recycling enables the disposal of biodegradable packaging along with food remains that are difficult to remove. The article presents a study on the degradation of biocomposites of polylactide with cork in various environments (water, buffer, and compost). The obtained results indicate a clear influence of the presence of the filler and its amount on the degradation profile of the composites. In addition, the effect of sample shrinkage was observed, especially during degradation in water, where the pH decreases during the process due to the appearance of degradation products. This effect may be important not only for the degradation profile of the packaging but also during its use. Packaging distorted due to shrinkage may be a sign of improper product storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the environmental issues caused by the widespread use and disposal of polymers, such as pollution in oceans and harm to wildlife. It emphasizes the need to find sustainable alternatives and improve waste management systems to mitigate these negative consequences. The article also highlights the importance of research in designing, characterizing, and producing environmentally friendly materials, as well as the role of biosynthesis and biodegradation in green chemistry. It explores the potential of (bio)degradable polymers in various applications, such as agriculture, food, and medicine, and discusses the use of liquid crystals and natural polymers in different industries. The article also mentions the development of collagen-based polymers and hydrogels for tissue engineering and drug delivery, as well as the application of nanotechnology in protecting molecules and wastewater treatment. Finally, it discusses the challenges and potential of bio-hydrogen production through dark fermentation and the importance of resource-efficient and sustainable polymer materials for the circular economy. [Extracted from the article]

Delivery systems for biologically active substances such as proanthocyanidins (PCANs), produced in the form of electrospun nonwoven through the electrospinning method, were designed using a polymeric blend of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)and poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] ((R,S)-PHB). The studies involved the structural and thermal characteristics of the developed electrospun three-dimensional fibre matrices unloaded and loaded with PCANs. In the next step, the hydrolytic degradation tests of these systems were performed. The release profile of PCANs from the electrospun nonwoven was determined with the aid of UV–VIS spectroscopy. Approximately 30% of the PCANs were released from the tested electrospun nonwoven during the initial 15–20 days of incubation. The chemical structure of water-soluble oligomers that were formed after the hydrolytic degradation of the developed delivery system was identified through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Oligomers of lactic acid and OLAGA oligocopolyester, as well as oligo-3-hydroxybutyrate terminated with hydroxyl and carboxyl end groups, were recognized as degradation products released into the water during the incubation time. It was also demonstrated that variations in the degradation rate of individual mat components influenced the degradation pattern and the number of formed oligomers. The obtained results suggest that the incorporation of proanthocyanidins into the system slowed down the hydrolytic degradation process of the poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] three-dimensional fibre matrix. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial studies advocate the use of PCANs for biomedical applications with promising antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented herein are the results of a novel recycling method for waste Tetra Pak® packaging materials. The polyethylene (PE-T) component of this packaging material, obtained via a separation process using a "solvents method", was used as a carbon source for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by the bacterial strain Cupriavidus necator H16. Bacteria were grown for 48–72 h, at 30 °C, in TSB (nitrogen-rich) or BSM (nitrogen-limited) media supplemented with PE-T. Growth was monitored by viable counting. It was demonstrated that C. necator utilised PE-T in both growth media, but was only able to accumulate 40% w/w PHA in TSB supplemented with PE-T. Only 1.5% w/w PHA was accumulated in the TSB control, and no PHA was detected in the BSM control. Extracted biopolymers were characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The characterisation of PHA by ESI-MS/MS revealed that PHA produced by C. necator in TSB supplemented with PE-T contained 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, and 3-hydroxyhexanoate co-monomeric units. AMS analysis also confirmed the presence of 96.73% modern carbon and 3.27% old carbon in PHA derived from Tetra Pak®. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility of our proposed recycling method for waste Tetra Pak® packaging materials, alongside its potential for producing value-added PHA, and the ability of 14C analysis in validating this bioconversion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]