Production of cellulose-based bioplastic isolated from spent coffee ground

Due to their extraordinary and versatile properties, synthetic plastics have become an indispensable part of human life. However, in recent years, plastic pollution has become the world's biggest environmental problem globally. This environmental concern regarding plastic pollution has directed the attention of researchers to find a suitable alternative to plastic, namely bioplastics. Bioplastics are bio-based polymers that have the potential to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics are specially designed to have a lower carbon footprint, be less dependent on natural resources, and provide energy efficiency, environmental safety and sustainability. Substances such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, chitin, polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid are used in bioplastic production. The proposed project aims to produce cellulose-based bioplastic from coffee waste. For this purpose, in the first stage of the project, carboxymethylcellulose produced from the cellulose extracted from coffee waste. In the second stage, bioplastic production carried out from the obtained carboxymethylcellulose by gel casting method. For this purpose, different concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose (1%, 2%, 3%) obtained from coffee waste, polyvinyl alcohol (2%, PVA) and glycerol that is plasticizing agent used as film materials. Physicochemical and mechanical properties of the produced bioplastics examined. As a result of the study, the coffee derived carboxymethyl cellulose used in the bioplastic films is a good filler, it gives dark and opaque properties to the films and thus loses its heat and light permeability. A certain rate of using carboxymethyl cellulose in the films determined that increase the moisture content and decrease swelling degrees and contact angle values. It has been determined that coffee derived carboxymethyl cellulose bioplastic films is a good alternative in the film industry, which is environmentally friendly and has advanced properties than traditional films.