Enhancing degradability of plastic waste by dispersing starch into low density polyethylene matrix

The present investigation emphasizes the synthesis and characterization of an extruded biodegradable film developed by dispersion of corn starch in LDPE matrix. Biodegradable films of different composition were prepared and compared with virgin LDPE film. The effect of detergent solution, mustard oil, petroleum oil and saline water was determined as per ASTMD 543-67 to assess its durability. The chemical resistance of the film under 10% HCl and 10% NaOH was also checked. The developed biodegradable film of composition 60:30:10 by weight of LDPE:starch:additive showed a tensile strength of 16.2 MPa and elongation at break of 140% indicating that only 10-12% loss of tensile strength and 15% loss in impact strength can be observed by incorporating just 30% starch as compared to virgin LDPE film. The application of the biodegradable film as an environmental friendly packaging material can be effectively judged by its decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break by 8% and 2% respectively by addition of just 10% starch under soil burial condition whereas the burst strength has increased by 16% which makes it to be extensively applicable for packaging.