Design and Fabrication of a Biodegradable Plastic-Making System Using Starch-Based Polymers

Increased use of plastic is one of the main reasons for pollution. It takes about 20 to 500 years for traditional plastic to decompose; hence, it finds its way into landfills or oceans. The solution is to produce starch-based biodegradable plastic. The main ingredient of this would be starch, which is organic and natural, and all sorts of toxic additives would be avoided to ensure that plastic remains one hundred percent organic. This would allow it to come from the soil and go back to it without causing harm, completing a full natural life cycle. This study aimed to synthesize bioplastic, and involved the design and development an automated machine capable of producing biodegradable plastic bags using starch-based polymer films. The system described in this study integrates a mixing unit followed by a film-sliding mechanism, drying, and a thermal sealing unit, all controlled via Arduino to ensure precision and repeatability. Compared to conventional machines, this design consumes less energy and supports environmentally friendly materials. It efficiently processes starch-based polymers into usable bags with acceptable mechanical properties and biodegradability. It is an alternative to traditional plastic, which is vital, as removing the use of plastic from day-to-day life appears to be an impossible task. It contributes to sustainable manufacturing and serves as a foundation for further innovations in green packaging technologies.