Degradable materials resources

In view of the necessity for getting waste disposal under control coupled with the limited fossil raw material resources, biodegradable polymer and in particular polymers from renewable resources will gain importance in the future. In the most sensitive application area, food contact materials and articles, it is possible initially to use these materials in very limited amounts. The easy decomposition of these packaging materials is in opposition with the inertness needed to protect packaged food. These polymers are particularly sensitive to moisture. By finishing operations such as surface treatments, one could improve the inertness of these polymers. However, the degradability would be diminished by such processes. 

Recovery of plastics from MSW can be as a material resource (by material recycling), a feedstock (by thermal or chemical degradation), or as energy (by incineration or biological treatment). Different technical methods are available for each of... 

Smaller and start-up companies, for example Novamont, EarthShell and Plantic are more focused on converting natural renewable resource polymers, such as starch and soy-derivatives, into degradable materials. Due to low volumes and curtailed process optimization, (bio)degradable materials are currently still comparatively expensive as compared to conventional plastics. Whilst consumers in European countries seem to be more agreeable to pay extra price for environmentally friendly products, their American and Japanese... 

Acid deposition and the associated particulate nitrates and sulfates are implicated in the deterioration of certain sensitive ecosystems, decreased visibility, negative human health effects, and increased degradation of certain stone building materials and cultural resources, especially those made of limestone and marble. Fine particulate nitrate and sulfate particles... 

The consequence of this inappropriate materials selection is the squandering of natural resources that characterises the industrialised nations of the world, coupled with a growing problem of waste disposal. Control is certainly necessary to prevent the uncontrolled dumping of these non-degradable polymers in the environment. Arguably control is also needed to prevent these kinds of material being fabricated into barely serviceable items in the first place. 

Ecosystem services can be considered as being the goods and services provided by coupled ecological and social systems. They provide our material needs and quality of life, and we all depend on the sustainable use of ecosystems services. The Millennium Ecosystems Assessment has brought the continual capacity for coupled ecological-social systems to deliver eco-systems services into public attention. It states that the ability of many systems to deliver valuable services has been compromised by over-exploitation of several resources and environmental degradation. 

Methods submitted include single- and multi-analyte methods for parent compounds and for degradates of concern. Pesticide regulatory methods are needed for each type of environmental matrix fate methods may be designed for soil, water, plant tissue, animal tissue or air, but are predominantly for soil and water. Analytical methods need to include a complete description of the procedure, materials and equipment in order to be completely reproducible. The methods should be practical and rapid and, to the extent possible while maintaining other quality objectives, inexpensive (often State and local regulatory agencies with few available resources need to utilize them). 

The increased importance of renewable resources for raw materials and recyclability or biodegradability of the material at the end of its useful life is demanding a shift from petroleum-based synthetics to agro-based materials in industrial applications. Increased social awareness of environmental problems posed by the non-degradable, non-recyclable content of their products is forcing manufacturers to enhance the biodegradable content, which in turn favors a switch to biomaterials [1]. 

The checklist is divided into three areas 1) Material Storage and Handling, 2) Production Processes and 3) Treatment Alternatives. Material degradation, samples, spills, storage, and inspections are addressed in the first section. Production processes include source reduction for process bath solutions and rinse systems, resource recovery and recycling, and solvent management. Treatment Alternatives focuses on process water pretreatment, modification of conventional wastewater treatment, and alternative waste treatment methods. Each of these subsections follow the question and answer format. 

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