Virginia tech develops biodegradable bioplastics from food waste

In the United States, approximately 30 to 40 percent of food produced ends up in landfills, leading to significant environmental and economic consequences. Researchers at Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are tackling this issue by developing biodegradable bioplastics from food waste. This innovative approach not only offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution but also provides a new life for materials that would otherwise be discarded..

The development of biodegradable bioplastics by Virginia Tech researchers represents a significant step toward reducing plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. According to lead researcher Zhiwu "Drew" Wang, “By creating cost-effective bioplastics that naturally decompose, we can reduce plastic pollution on land and in oceans and address significant issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and economic losses associated with food waste.”

This project is particularly relevant in addressing oceanic plastic pollution, with microplastics affecting nearly 88 percent of all marine species, as reported by the World Wildlife Fund. The bioplastics developed at Virginia Tech have the potential to biodegrade quickly in seawater, mitigating the impact on marine life globally.

The project is the first of its kind to demonstrate an affordable modular bioprocessing system that produces biodegradable bioplastics from food waste. Researchers harness microorganisms to convert food waste into fats, which are then processed into bioplastics. This innovative process is similar to fermentation used in microbreweries and ensures that the resulting bioplastics are easily compostable, helping to reduce marine pollution caused by microplastics.

“By creating environmentally sustainable plastics, we hope to benefit people, companies, waste management systems, and communities worldwide,” said Wang, emphasizing the broad impact of this research.

This research project involves collaboration across multiple departments at Virginia Tech, including the Department of Food Science and Technology and the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The team, which includes both undergraduate and graduate students, focuses on the purification of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and the creation of high-value bioplastic products.

According to Young Kim, a researcher involved in the project, “Using bioplastic is a viable option to solve our increased plastic pollution. Our approach is to improve sustainability using biodegradable options.”

Students are also playing a crucial role in this initiative. “Our first step is to make single-layer film to see if it can be utilized as an actual product,” said Chenxi Cao, a senior in packaging and system design. The goal is to replace traditional coated paper products with PHA, which is fully biodegradable, even in a backyard environment.

The project, funded by a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aims to create bioplastics that can replace traditional plastics in everyday products. “It inspired me to pursue graduate studies because traditional plastics are unsustainable,” said Chloe Taylor, a senior in sustainable biomaterials.

As the research progresses, Virginia Tech's innovative approach to transforming food waste into biodegradable bioplastics promises to contribute significantly to global sustainability efforts, reducing both plastic pollution and food waste.