The Potential of Apple Peel as an Alternative Ingredient for Bioplastic

CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The researchers noticed a vast growth of demand in plastic, every household uses plastic, even
in malls, restaurants or schools. The usage of plastic is literally everywhere. Every year we
produce 300 million tons of plastic and more than 8 million tons is dumped into the ocean every
year and 6.3 million tons of plastic is not recycled properly. Due to the increased use of a variety
of petroleum-derived plastic polymer, metals, glass, paper and board, or combinations as
packaging materials, plastic is found to be the best because of its long life properties, thus, its
increased utilization is increasing every day. However, plastics cannot be degraded by natural
processes in a short period of time and are left as plastic waste, causing environmental
problems. Methods used to destroy other types of waste such as burning and burying are not
suitable for plastic destruction. This is a major threat not only in our environment but also on our
health. In response to these problems associated with plastic waste, production of
biodegradable plastics has been of great interest. That is why the researchers decided to create
an alternative for the major components of a plastic, specifically the apple peel. Apple peel has
a lot of benefits it also contains a high amount of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. Knowing that
other people just throw away the apple peels the researchers plan to take advantage to this, To
make bioplastic. Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable resources such as vegetables,
oils, fats and corn starch but this time the main component is the apple peel unlike the regular
plastic the bioplastic is based on starch while the regular plastic is based on carbon main chain
polymers thus, making it dangerous to your health. That is why the researchers plans to pursue
this idea to help the environment and to create an alternative that is less expensive but a lot
more convenient to our economy.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study is about The Potential of Apple Peel as an Alternative Ingredient for Bioplastic.
Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the differences between petroleum-derived plastic polymer and Apple Peel as an
Alternative Ingredient for Bioplastic?

2. Why is Apple Peel as an Alternative Ingredient for Bioplastic better than petroleum-derived
plastic polymer?

3. What are the benefits of Apple Peel as an Alternative Ingredient for Bioplastic?