Bio-based materials riding the wave of sustainability: common misconceptions, opportunities, challenges and the way forward
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2022
Abstract
Solid waste disposal, particularly of plastic and rubber, significantly impacts the environment and human health; thus, encouraging consumers to u sustainable alternatives is essential to ensure a resilient future. In recent decades, bio-based material research has primarily focused on bioplastics and, accordingly, current knowledge of alternative sustainable materials (such as biorubber) is fragmented, with consumer misconceptions posing a key challenge. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of bio-based materials, in addition to common misconceptions about them. The findings of a public survey that aimed to assess consumers' attitudes towards, as well as their awareness and perceptions of, conventional and sustainable alternative materials, particularly oxo-biodegradable rubbers, are also reported in this paper. Despite their unfamiliarity with the terms `bio-based' and `oxo-biodegradable', most respondents had a positive view of bio-based products and expressed an interest in reducing their use of conventional products in favour of sustainable alternatives. The results also revealed that consumers are willing to spend more on sustainable alternatives because they are aware of the environmental issues associated with solid waste. This study provides new insights into knowledge gaps and challenges that must be addressed to promote the prudent use of sustainable materials in a fast-changing world.
Keywords
Bio-based materials, Consumer behaviour, Environment, Oxo-biodegradable rubber, Synthetic materials, Sustainability, Waste management
Divisions
InstituteofBiologicalSciences,CHEMISTRY
Funders
Universiti Malaya [Grant No; GPF085B-2020]
Publication Title
Sustainability
Volume
14
Issue
9
Publisher
MDPI
Publisher Location
ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND