Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) as Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Packaging: A Review

摘要

Plastic pollution has become a looming challenge and widespread problem affecting society and the environment. The ever-increasing trend of use-and-throw culture has been the main reason for designing single-use plastics which are to be disposed of just after one use. To mitigate these growing threats, researchers started investigating polymers based on renewable resources, especially for packaging applications. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic and water-soluble polymer with superior mechanical properties. The current review provides a comprehensive study on the mechanical and barrier properties of PVA applicable for active packaging along with its environmental challenges. The effects of different bioactive components incorporated into PVA matrix have also been reviewed for application in food packaging industries which can protect food from various pathogens and increased shelf-life. In addition, the mitigation procedures (biodegradability) of the industrial wastes produced by different manufacturing houses have also been reviewed.