Every year, the EU emits 13.4 Mt of CO₂ solely from plastic production, with 99% of all plastics being produced from fossil fuel sources, while those that are produced from renewable sources use food products as feedstocks. In 2019, 29 Mt of plastic waste was collected in Europe. It is estimated that 32% was recycled, 43% was incinerated and 25% was sent to landfill. It has been estimated that life-sciences (biology, medicine, etc.) alone create plastic waste of approximately 5.5 Mt/yr, the majority being disposed of by incineration. The vast majority of this plastic waste is made from fossil fuel sources, though there is a growing interest in the possible use of bioplastics as a viable alternative for single-use lab consumables, such as petri dishes, pipette tips, etc. However, to-date only limited bioplastic replacement examples exist. In this review, common polymers used for labware are discussed, along with examining the possibility of replacing these materials with bioplastics, specifically polylactic acid (PLA). The material properties of PLA are described, along with possible functional improvements dure to additives. Finally, the standards and benchmarks needed for assessing bioplastics produced for labware components are reviewed.

The biodegradable biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA) has been used in the recent past in single-use packaging as a suitable replacement for non-biodegradable fossil fuel-based plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Under FDA and EU regulations, lactic acid (LA), the building block of PLA, is considered safe to use as a food contact material. The mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of PLA are, however, major challenges for this material. PLA is a brittle material with a Young’s modulus of 2996–3750 MPa and an elongation at break of 1.3–7%. PLA has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 60 °C, exhibiting structural distortion at this temperature. The water permeability of PLA can lead to hydrolytic degradation of the material. These properties can be improved with biopolymer blending and composites. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), for instance, increases the thermal stability of PLA while decreasing the water permeability by up to 59%. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common plastics in reusable food containers. This study will compare PLA-based blends and composites to the currently used PP as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics. The end-of-life options for PLA-based food containers are considered, as is the commercial cost of replacing PP with PLA.

Dublin City University identifies Sustainability as a core theme underpinning all of the University’s activities and strategic goals [1]. DCU is committed to ensuring that all graduates understand the challenges of environmental sustainability and have the sustainability competencies that will equip them to be global citizens, inspired and empowered to take the actions necessary for a sustainable future. DCU undertakes sustainability focused research and works to demonstrate, where feasible, these sustainable solutions within our Living Lab campuses. DCU also works with enterprise and societal communities to engage, inform and support these communities on our joint sustainable journey. Keyword: Sustainability Challenges, Education for Sustainable Development, Environmental Sustainability

Dublin City University, originally established in 1989, is located approximately 5km to the north of Dublin City Centre and is the most significant and comprehensive provider of university education on the rapidly growing and economically important Irish Eastern corridor. DCU is committed to embedding an ethos of sustainability across the entire institution. Sustainable operations are a core element of the DCU Sustainability Plan. Baseline ecological footprint metrics have been agreed and ambitious targets are set on an annual basis to reduce these with the eventual target of delivering a carbon neutral campus. Such baselines have been agreed for all campuses for water consumption. Several projects have been undertaken both on an operational and research footing to address consumption levels. Such projects include full water surveys of all campuses leading to significant savings due to fixing of leaks. In addition to operational projects, DCU focuses on educating and information its internal and external communities raising awareness of the importance of this essential resource and seeking behavioural change to reduce consumption and increase the implementation of water efficient principles and practices.