Plastic bags have been introduced in the 1970’s it is commonly used everywhere (Riyad,

Maher, & Al, 2014). It is assessed that around 500 billion plastic sacks are utilized each year
around the world (Riyad, Maher, & Al, 2014; Gogte, 2009). Plastics being made from oil may
not be the most sustainable solution. They are harmful to wildlife and can take 1000's of years
to decompose (Andrews, 2012). As a 'greener' solution, biodegradable plastics have been
manufactured from a variety of materials, including starch-based polymers (potato, corn,
wheat or tapioca starch), polyester (still made from oil products), water-soluble polymers,
polymers that degrade with light or oxygen, or a blend of these (Reddy, Reddy, & Gupta 2013)
Most of the plastics, due to poor management, are discarded in unauthorized dumping sites
or burned uncontrollably in the fields (Nkwachukwu, Chima, Ikenna, & Albert, 2013). Different
urban areas in the Philippines have begun to disallow the utilization of plastic sacks and
packaging materials in favor of paper products for waste disposal and management reasons
(Biona, Gonzaga, & Ubando, 2015; Barachina, Bicongco, Garcia, & Anyayahan, 2015). Plastic
shopping bags are progressively observed as environmental hazards that undermine human
and animal welfare, as opposed to amiable present-day comforts (Clapp & Swanston, 2009).
The solution is to develop a plastic material that biodegrades.

The word plastic came from the Greek word plastikos, whih means “capable of being
molded.” Plastics can be as hard as metal or as soft as silk. They can take any shape in almost
any form due to the versatility of the carbon, the most common backbone of polymer chains.
Plastics can be conveniently divided into two categories: semi-synthetic, in which the basic
chain structure is derived from a natural product, such as cellulose; and synthetic, which is
built up chemically from small units or monomers. Despite the various applications of plastics,
drawbacks have been encountered in three major points. Firstly, there are certain chemicals
used in the manufacture of plastics that may cause allergic reactions. There is a need to
protect humankind from these threats. Secondly, since cellulose films are biodegradable, they
are readily attacked by bacteria. Films and packaging materials from synthetic polymers are
normally attacked at a very low rate. New polymers such as nylon, polyvinyl chloride and
polystyrene have replaced cellulose, the pioneer plastic material. These plastic materials have
become permanent wastes. There are various methods in making biodegradable plastics. The
simplest is the production of plastic from the extraction of casein from milk. Casein is obtained
in two ways: 1) by souring, with the use of lactic acid; and 2) by boiling together with an
additive, such as acetic acid. Starch is a natural organic polymer manufactured by green plants
through photosynthesis. It occurs in the form of grains in many parts of the plant, principally
in embryonic tissues such as seeds, fruits, roots and tubers. Polyvinyl alcohol is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless, thermoplastic synthetic resin. It is commonly used for greaseproofing
paper, in adhesives, in gas- and oil-impervious films and coatings. This substance, although
soluble in water, is insoluble in common organic solvents. Glycerol is the simplest trihydric
alcohol. In commercial form, it is called glycerin. It is a colorless, odorless and viscous liquid
with a sweet taste. It is completely soluble in water and alcohol but is only slightly soluble in
many common solvents, such as ether, ethyl acetate and dioxane. It is widely used in coatings
and paints, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Plastic production is a relatively new technology.
Experiments are being conducted to relieve the negative effects of overproducing plastics. By
changing its raw materials and additives, commercial plastic may be improved so that it will
become biodegradable while retaining its good quality.