Title

Virginia Tech researchers work to create bioplastics from food waste

Relevance

Nearly 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. ends up in landfills, accounting for the single largest component of municipal waste in the country. This results in not only greenhouse gas emissions, but also carries an annual $165 billion in economic loss from the food, water, energy, and chemicals spent in the food supply chain. Oceanic plastic pollution is also becoming ever more apparent, with microplastics affecting nearly 88 percent of all marine species, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Response

Zhiwu "Drew" Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, which is part of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, is working in conjunction with other faculty across campus, including Haibo Huang, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology, and Young Kim, an associate professor in packaging systems and design housed in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. The team will test the scalability and feasibility of converting these wastes into bioplastics on a national and global scale, with the target of keeping costs for the produced bioplastics as low as possible. Unlike traditional plastics made from petroleum-based materials, bioplastics are made from biological elements such as plant or animal oils and naturally degrade in compost and waterways.

Results

This first-of-its kind pilot project will develop and demonstrate an affordable modular bioprocessing system that will provide a blueprint on how to produce biodegradable bioplastics from food waste.

Public Value Statement

This project will deliver marketable bioplastic products made from food waste, which would result in reduced landfill quantity and waste management costs, offset petroleum-based plastic production and pollution, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Primary Focus Area

Energy & Bioproducts

Secondary Focus Area

None Selected

Impact Statement