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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203589
Title: Single-use, Disposable Food Containers: Starch-basded Alternatives to Petroleum-based Plastics

Author
item Glenn, Gregory - Greg
item Ludvik, Charles
item Klamczynski, Artur
item Orts, William
item Imam, Syed
item Wood, Delilah - De

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2006
Publication Date: 3/11/2006
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Ludvik, C.N., Klamczynski, A., Orts, W.J., Imam, S.H., Wood, D.F. Single-use, Disposable Food Containers: Starch-basded Alternatives to Petroleum-based Plastics. Abstract #412.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of valuable petroleum resources to make single-use, disposable plastic foodservice containers has raised concerns among environmental and consumer groups. Billions of single-use food service containers are used each year in the U.S. alone to dispense beverages and serve food. Starch is an abundant, inexpensive, renewable resource derived primarily from cereal and tuber crops. A baking technology has been developed to produce degradable food containers with functional properties similar to those of polystyrene foam products. The product is a composite material consisting of a vapor barrier film, starch, fiber and other minor ingredients. Starch/fiber foam composites have also been made using extrusion technology. The extruded composite materials containing fiber have improved tensile strength and modulus and are more stable during aging than materials that do not contain fiber.