Natural Polymer Based Materials for Substituting Single Use Plastics Within the Circular Economy Framework

Abstract

The need to find sustainable substitutes for conventional plastics made from petroleum has been heightened by the global problem of plastic pollution and the depletion of fossils. Natural polymer-based bioplastics are among the most promising answers because they can lessen dependency on fossil fuels while providing cleaner and greener end-of-life (EOL) alternatives. This study provides a thorough and critical examination of the formation, functionality, and alignment of circularity of natural polymers, including cellulose, starch, chitosan, lignin, alginate, and gelatin. It also evaluates popular bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), pointing out their advantages and disadvantages in different industrial domains. In order to improve material functioning, the paper also examines novel blending processes, bio-based plasticizers, and new monomers. Life cycle assessment (LCA), circular design concepts, and the real-world difficulties of manufacturing scalability are given particular attention. Through creative diagrams, comparison tables, and a radar chart showing EOL paths, this paper presents a unique integrated viewpoint on the role of natural polymers in the shift to a circular bioeconomy. A critical evaluation of present policy frameworks and tactical suggestions to get beyond obstacles to broad adoption are included in the study’s conclusion. Computational material science-assisted advances in polymer chemistry and applications pave the way for a complete approach to these problems by designing for biodegradability and recyclability. This review examines the ways in which advancements in science, new legal frameworks, societal norms, and economic constraints pave the way for the shift to a circular economy of polymers.