Trends towards sustainability have increased interest in biodegradable plastics. The effect of environmental factors such as UV radiation, humidity, and temperature on the properties of 7 biopolymers used in serviceware including bagasse, fiber pulp, wheatstraw and polylactic acid were analyzed. The properties of biopolymers were comparable to synthetic plastics in the as received condition, but deteriorate significantly with exposure to water and UV radiation. Improvements may be needed before biopolymers are effective replacements for traditional plastics.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Pacheco, Hannah Katherine
• Buffum, Kelly Meghan

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042013-124453

Advisor

• Shivkumar, Satya

Year

• 2013

Date created

• 2013-04-20

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright