Importance and Applications of Biodegradable Materials and Bioplastics From Renewable Resources

The production of conventional plastics has been significantly increased in recent years. Their applications in different sectors of life offer a serious menace to the surrounding environment and fossil fuel sources. In order to reduce their pollution, nondegradable plastics must be replaced by bioplastics. They are prepared from renewable sources, which can easily be degraded through biological agents. Applications of renewable sources, such as agricultural waste (nonpetroleum sources) and their ability to degrade easily in various environments, have enabled biopolymers to be accepted more simply compared to the orthodox plastics. Bioplastic biodegradation is influenced via various chemical and physical factors (including environmental factors). The number and type of microorganisms present in the environment also affect the degradation process of bioplastics. This chapter highlights their applications in agriculture and other sectors of life, degree of degradation by microorganisms, and identification of the most suitable microorganisms from microbial communities for biodegradation of bioplastics.