ENV 11292760 Gaea Alexa Sulthana & Bylqhiz Ghanisah Bustomi LINGKUNGAN ISPO 2024

Summary

This research focuses on creating BioLite, a compostable bioplastic made from banana peel waste and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from biogas. By adding granular organic fertilizer, this bioplastic not only decomposes quickly but also enhances plant growth. Through various tests, including biodegradation and tensile strength, the research found that the P2 M1 sample performed the best, meeting bioplastic standards. BioLite offers an eco-friendly, economical solution to plastic waste, with potential to replace conventional plastics while promoting plant growth and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia is the second-largest plastic-producing country, with 11.6 million tons of plastic waste, which is increasing annually.
• 😀 Bioplastics, which degrade faster than conventional plastics, can help mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste.
• 😀 The research focuses on creating a compostable bioplastic made from banana peel waste and B gas, with added granular organic fertilizer for enhanced plant nutrition.
• 😀 The objectives of the research are to study the effects of different concentration variations on the physical properties of bioplastics, and their effectiveness as plant nutrients.
• 😀 The experimental research, conducted from November 2023 to February 2024, used two main materials: banana peel starch and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from B gas.
• 😀 The process to make the bioplastic involved extracting starch from banana peels, isolating cellulose from B gas, and adding glycerol and granular organic fertilizer.
• 😀 The best sample, P1 M1, was the thinnest and had an optimal weight and water content, making it more efficient.
• 😀 The P2 M1 sample was found to have the best tensile strength, elongation, and water absorption rate, meeting bioplastic standards.
• 😀 The bioplastic showed a high biodegradation rate, with the P3 M3 sample decomposing 93.8% in 7 days, making it environmentally friendly.
• 😀 Granular organic fertilizer positively impacted plant growth, with the highest growth rate of mang bean sprouts observed in the P1 M1 sample, indicating the bioplastic’s effectiveness as a plant nutrient enhancer.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue addressed in the research?

The research addresses the environmental issue of plastic waste pollution, particularly in Indonesia, which is the second-largest plastic-producing country. The focus is on developing a solution to reduce plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment.

What are bioplastics and how do they help in reducing plastic pollution?

Bioplastics are environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. They degrade quickly and are compostable, releasing nutrients during the decomposition process. This reduces the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste in the environment.

Why is banana peel waste used in this research?

Banana peel waste is used because it is high in starch, which is biodegradable. This makes it an ideal raw material for producing bioplastics that can decompose quickly and help mitigate plastic pollution.

What role does biogas play in the research?

Biogas, particularly its cellulose content, is utilized in the research to create microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which is an essential component of the bioplastic. MCC improves the physical properties of the bioplastic, making it more effective.

What is the purpose of adding granular organic fertilizer to the bioplastic?

Granular organic fertilizer is added to the bioplastic to enhance plant growth. It contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which help improve the growth rate of plants when the bioplastic is used as a mulch or soil additive.

How does the research determine the best concentration of materials for the bioplastics?

The research tests different concentrations of banana peel starch and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to observe their effects on the physical characteristics of the bioplastics. The best concentration is determined based on various tests, including thickness, water content, tensile strength, and biodegradation rate.

What were the key findings from the water absorption and biodegradation tests?

The best sample for water absorption was P2 M1, with an average water content of 73.28%. In the biodegradation test, the P3 M3 sample showed the highest degradation rate, reaching 93.8% in 7 days and 100% in 8 days.

How did the addition of granular organic fertilizer affect plant growth?

The addition of granular organic fertilizer improved the growth rate of mung bean sprouts. The average height of the sprouts in the best sample reached 14.4 cm in 7 days. The fertilizer's nutrients also enhanced leaf color, root length, and overall plant health.

What was the best-performing sample according to the research tests?

The best-performing sample was P2 M1. It excelled in tensile strength, elongation, and water content tests, meeting the bioplastic standards and showing strong potential as a compostable material.

What are the potential benefits of using BioLite bioplastics?

BioLite bioplastics offer several benefits: they are eco-friendly, compostable, and effective at improving plant growth. They are also economical, costing only 1,100 Rupiah per piece, making them an affordable and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.