Bioplastic from banana waste

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have discovered a biodegradable and recyclable plastic material created using banana plants.

Banana plantations account for large amounts of organic waste in the agricultural industry, with only 12% of the plant used commercially and the rest discarded. The UNSW project aims at using the fleshy pseudostem of the plant to harness its cellulosic properties for packaging and other useful products. 

The study used a supply of banana pseudostem from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Post this the cellulose was extracted for testing its efficiency in packaging. The pseudostem itself consists of about 90% water. The cellulose is extracted using a simple process:

• The pseudostem is chopped into tiny pieces.
• The pieces are dried and milled into a fine powder.
• The powder is washed with soft chemicals.
• Nano-cellulose is extracted from the process.
• Upon processing, the nano-cellulose develops a consistency like baking paper.

The resultant material can be used in a number of applications like food packaging. It can be processed into varying thicknesses according to the required application. 

Tests have confirmed that the material can break down organically in soil. It is also recyclable three times with no change in properties. Further tests confirmed food safety, with no material leaching observed in living cells. 

The material can be processed into grocery bags and also holding trays for food products.

The research team suggests that the banana plantation industry equip themselves to convert pseudostems into powders, for supply to the packaging industry. Packaging manufacturers are recommended to equip themselves with processors to convert the nano cellulose powder into reliable packaging material.