A Sustainable Approach to Reduce Environmental Threats of Oxidative Degradation of Plastic Films

Abstract

Plastic pollution of the environment is a serious since the plastics production worldwide now is about 400 million tons. Many items of plastics products cannot be collected in order to recycle. The recycled plastics is less than 9%. It takes very long time degrades in the soil about one hundred year. Polyethylene is the most widely used plastic in the world. The major product of polyethylene is the films which is difficult collect after being used therefore it is a major pollutant to the environment. For many decades the scientists are searching for method to degrade specially PE films. The researches are carried into chemical and biological routes and some other researches to replace PE with another plastic that degrade easily in nature. The fruit of these researches is to add small amount of transitional metal organic salt can lead to the degradation of PE in a short time. The most effective metals found are manganese and cobalt. Many materials has been introduced in this field. To judge upon suitability of these products ASTM D6954 and BS 8472 are issued. It verify that the product is suitable for food contact and does not affect the recycling if carried.