Advancement In Mechanical Properties of Bioplastics Using Brown Algae and Eggshells— A Sustainable Method

Abstract

Plastic pollution poses a major threat to ecosystems and human health due to the slow decomposition of conventional plastics. This study aims to develop a sustainable bio-plastic with enhanced mechanical properties using sodium alginate extracted from brown algae and calcium carbonate from organic eggshells. The bioplastic was fabricated and tested for tensile strength, water absorbability and biodegradability. The results revealed that the incorporation of sodium alginate and eggshell powder increased hanging strength by 1800% compared to control samples, while biodegradability improved significantly, with complete degradation achieved within seven days. However, an increase in water absorbability was observed, attributed to the hydrophilic nature of sodium alginate. Future studies will focus on enhancing the hydrophobic properties and thermal strength of the bioplastic. These findings contribute to the growing efforts to develop affordable, high-performance biodegradable plastics, supporting sustainability goals in the United Arab Emirates and beyond.