ECO-FRIENDLY BIOPLASTIC DEVELOPMENT FROM BANANA PEEL WASTE: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PETROCHEMICAL PLASTICS

ABSTRACT The growing environmental burden of petroleum-based plastics has accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the development of ecofriendly bioplastics from banana peel waste, an abundant agricultural by-product in Nigeria. The research aimed to extract starch-rich polymers from banana peels, synthesize biodegradable plastic films using glycerol as a plasticizer, and evaluate their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Banana peels were pretreated, hydrolyzed with acetic acid, neutralized with sodium hydroxide, and plasticized with varying glycerol concentrations before casting into films. The resulting bioplastics were characterized based on tensile strength, flexibility, moisture absorption, biodegradability, and thermal stability. Findings revealed that glycerol concentration significantly influenced the trade-off between tensile strength and flexibility, while higher plasticizer levels enhanced biodegradability but increased water sensitivity. The films exhibited moderate mechanical properties, rapid degradation under soil conditions, and stability at low to moderate temperatures, making them suitable for disposable packaging applications. Although limitations such as reduced water resistance and lower thermal stability remain, the study demonstrates that banana peel waste can serve as a cost-effective and sustainable raw material for bioplastic production. The outcomes contribute to waste valorization, environmental sustainability, and the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 12 and 13.