Review of Related Literature

Bio-based polymer composites have been the topics of some

different scientific research projects and as well as commercial

programs. Due to growing environmental and social concern, the

rate of depletion of petroleum resources and the creation of

environmental regulations have forced the search for alternative

composites and green materials that are compatible to use with

the environment.

Beyond the limited scope of natural polymers, conversions in

bio-refineries and chemical carbon dioxide fixation are created

with highly effective tailoring, processing and recycling of

polymers. “Green monomers” made from bio-refineries, and

“renewable oil”, created from bio wastes and plastics’, makes

synthetic polymers renewable without ruining their property

profiles and recycling. (Mülhaupt, 2013)

These days, people are becoming more aware about the harmful

effects of petrochemical derived plastic materials in the

environment. Researchers have conducted numerous researches for

handling plastic waste on earth by finding eco-friendly

substitute to plastics. This ecofriendly substitute is called

bioplastics, which are disposed in environment and can easily

degenerate through the enzymatic actions of microorganisms. The

degradation of bioplastics give increase to carbon dioxide,

water, methane, humic matter and several other natural substances

which can be easily eliminated (Azios, 2007).

Plastics are used in almost every place such as, in routine

house hold packaging material, in bottles, cell phones, printers

etc. It is also developed by manufacturing industries ranging

from pharmaceutical to automobiles. They are useful as synthetic

polymer because their structure can be chemically manipulated to

a number of strengths and shapes to obtain higher molecular

weight, low reactivity and long durable substances. Plastics are

significant material as they are durable and cost efficient to

everyone. Plastics have developed a large environmental problem.

Plastics that do residue in landfills degenerate very gradually,

which can cause the original products to remain in our landfills

for hundreds or even thousands of years (Unmar and Mohee, 2008).

Due to the motives of both strategic nature and

environmental, the interest in the development of biodegradable

was noticed few years ago (Zhang et al., 2000; Demirbas, 2007;

Gross and Kalra, 2002). In fact, in order to lessen the

environmental impact of plastics some of the products were

obtained from agriculture such as starch, cellulose, wood and

sugar are used as raw materials. In this method of procedure, the

net balance of carbon dioxide is significantly reduced, since the

carbon dioxide released throughout the production, utilization

and disposal of plastics is balanced by the carbon consumed

during the growth cycle of plant. In addition, petroleum, with

continuously increasing price, is being replaced by renewable raw

materials obtained from plants.

Certain biopolymers are being produced from fermentative

procedures of natural valuable raw materials, such as sugar,

wheat, soya and etc. Precise consumption each unit of

biodegradable plastic produced is significantly different

depending on the raw materials used, but these raw materials will

be taken away from other uses with no doubt, in particular from

alimentation, with a consequent increase in the cost of food

(Harding et al., 2007).

A study conducted in the Asian Journal of Food and Agro-

Industry stated that banana peel has a good source of different

nutritional and valuable components. It is rich in proteins,

dietary fiber, potassium, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They

also implied that banana peels can produce ethanol (Asian Journal

of Food and Agro-Industry, 2011).

Based on the research conducted by International

Journal of Environmental Science and Development on 2013, waste

from fruits, like banana peels, must be converted to useful

products like bio-ethanol which can serve as an alternative

energy source. Environmentally degradable bag or as we say eco-

bag can be made from banana fibre (Mohapatra et al., 2010). This

eco-bag with mixture of banana fibre and cotton is sturdy,

wrinkle-resistant, and absorbent-resistant compared to bag with

only cotton.

Banana fibres make a huge impact in the emerging bio-economy

because it plays a vital role. Recently, millions of tons of

banana pseudo stem are dumped as waste and most of the farmers

are facing huge problems in disposing the accumulated banana

pseudo stem. Therefore, it is effective to extract the economic

means of reducing the environmental problem by extraction of

fibre from pseudo stem and production of valuable bio-products.

All kinds of banana can be used for the fibre extraction purpose

(Mahapatra et al., 2010). Banana fibers are completely

biodegradable, recyclable and are more environment friendly

compared to the synthetic fibers both in terms of production and

their disposal. (Mukhopadhay et al., 2008). Therefore, the banana

products have export potential. Unlike synthetic fibers which are

largely produced from non-renewable resources since banana fibers

are made of renewable resources. Furthermore, pseudo stem can be

recycled to be used as bio fertilizer and are found to be highly

useful and economic for banana growers. (Mukhopadhay et al.,

2008). Also, the wastes produced during processing of banana

fiber can generate electricity and will also contribute to make

ecological housing material for the reason that it is mainly

organic wastes (MOT, 2010) additionally; waste utilization will

overcome these environmental hazards. (Muraleedharan and Perumal,

2010 and Mahapatra et al., 2010).

In this modern world, plastics have proliferated because of

their different uses. Plastics can be elastic or not, strong or

easy to damaged, clear or colored, and many other useful

properties. There are some plastics that are excellent insulators

while others are electrically conductive. Plastics can perform

almost any role. In general, products made of plastics have

become lighter and less bulky. Plastics are also costly

alternatives to metals and wood for many applications, such as

packaging. To summarize, plastics has a big role in our daily

life and it is useful in different ways (A. Cordeiro 2008).