Effect of different ratios of bioplastic to newspaper pulp fibres on the weight loss of bioplastic pot

Abstract

Nowadays, industry is searching for an alternative to reduce the usage of petroleum-based non-degradable conventional seedling plant pots. In this study, three different types of bioplastic pots incorporated with newspaper pulp fibres (the ratio of B75%:N25%, B50%:N50% and B25%:N75% denotes percentage of bioplastic to percentage of newspaper pulp fibres) were produced while B0%:N100% acted as the control. All cylinder square shape moulded bioplastic pots with 100 mm height and 2 mm thickness were planted with Leucaena leucocephala seedlings for 60 days in two ground levels (below ground and above ground). Weight loss for bioplastic pots was evaluated. Results showed that bioplastic pots tested below ground had a higher percentage of weight loss than those planted above ground. For percentage of weight loss of bioplastic pots, most bioplastic pots that were tested in both ground levels only showed a significant difference at p ⩽ 0.05 after 30 days. Bioplastic pots B75%:N25% that were tested below ground have the highest percentage of weight loss with 77.93%. As conclusion, B50%:N50% is the most suitable ratio for the production of bioplastic pot.

Keywords

• Bioplastic pot
• Newspaper pulp
• Weight loss