Status quo and sector readiness for (bio)plastic food and beverage packaging in the 4IR

Pamela J. Welz; Linda Z. Linganiso; Patrick Murray; Sheena Kumari; Georgina D. Arthur; Amrita Ranjan; Catherine Collins; Babatunde F.  Bakare

doi:10.17159/sajs.2022/9748

Authors

Pamela J. Welz Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMBHI), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4825-4080
Linda Z. Linganiso Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Support Directorate, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-8745
Patrick Murray Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Department of Applied Science, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Limerick, Ireland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6349-7761
Sheena Kumari Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3436-8263
Georgina D. Arthur Department of Nature Conservation, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8495-018X
Amrita Ranjan Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMBHI), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9235-7098
Catherine Collins Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Department of Applied Science, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Limerick, Ireland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3076-789X
Babatunde F. Bakare 1.Department of Nature Conservation, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa; 2.Department of Chemical Engineering, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1521-682X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/9748

Keywords:

bio-based, biodegradable, feedstock, polymer

Abstract

Single-use plastics emanating from the food and beverage industry are polluting the environment, and there is increasing public pressure to find ‘green’ solutions to plastic pollution. The introduction of more bio-based and biodegradable plastics (possibly manufactured by disruptive technologies), increased plastic recycling, and enhanced degradation of plastics (micro, meso, and macro) in the environment can holistically contribute to solving the problem for future generations. In order to inform future research, it is imperative that robust background data and information are available. This review provides details about the volumes and categories of food and beverage packaging manufactured and recycled, and available data (qualitative and quantitative) on environmental plastic pollution in South Africa, and to a lesser extent, in Europe and globally. In addition, current and future trends and technologies for recycling, enhanced degradation, and manufacturing of plastics are discussed, with an emphasis on the manufacture of bioplastics.

Significance:

Plastic pollution needs to be tackled through a holistic combination of reduced use, enhanced recycling efforts, public education about littering, replacement of selected conventional plastics by degradable alternatives, and enhanced degradation of plastics in the environment.