There is substantial concern about critical environmental problems related to waste in production sectors such as textile, construction, and packaging. The materials ascribed to the sector’s unsustainability are primarily fabrics, plastic, and hazardous solvents, making developing new biobased materials imperative. As such, various strategies have been investigated to convert and recycle waste and give them commercial value via the manufacture of biobased materials. This review discusses the various types of raw materials as sources to develop new biobased materials that could promote the transition toward sustainability. According to the literature, the functional qualities of biobased materials are comparable to those of synthetic materials. Raw material sources such as biomass, derived from plant and animal-based waste, are attractive due to their low cost, abundance, and biodegradability. The manufacture of biomaterials, as well as their characterization and performance, are also discussed. Further, this review will offer a comprehensive view of the potential applicability and current commercial applications of the developed biobased materials in relevant areas such as packaging, construction, textile, and wastewater remediation. This could be a potential field of research to address the environmental challenges posed by the continuous growth of the global population.

This study aims to provide evidence that when testing cellulose paper modified with copper particles (CuPs), the particle size and the analysis method influence the antimicrobial activity observed by this material. Commercial CuPs of nanometric size (2.7 nm, CuNPs) and micrometric size (2.5 µm, CuMPs) were used to modify cellulose paper sheets. CuPs were incorporated during the pulp disintegration phase (stage 1) of the sheet formation process, according to the ISO 5269-1:2005 standard. Modified paper sheets retained 16% and 14% of CuNPs and CuMPs, respectively. Additionally, CuPs were distributed randomly on the fiber surfaces, often forming aggregates. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the modified paper sheets was evaluated using ISO 20645:2004 and ISO 20743:2013. The results showed that the antimicrobial activity assessed using each standard method is conditioned by the mechanism of action of the CuPs and, therefore, by their size. It was concluded that ISO 20645:2004 is suitable for evaluating the antibacterial effect of paper/CuNPs, as nanoparticles diffuse from the paper and are released into the culture medium. In contrast, ISO 20743:2013 can be used for both CuNP- and CuMP-based paper, as it evaluates the antibacterial effect based on the direct interaction between the copper particle and the bacteria.

The significant environmental impact from fashion and textile industries has spurred interest in sustainable alternatives, especially for accessories like sequins and beads, whose usage has surged post-pandemic. This study explores the potential of utilizing salmon industry waste from Chile to produce bio-sequins (BS) and guanine crystals (GC) from salmon skin. The production of BS offers a strategy to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and support sustainable waste management, as these materials decompose naturally without harmful residues. Physicochemical and mechanical characterization of the BS by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), evaluated their feasibility for textile, design, and fashion applications. Additionally, GC were extracted from salmon scales using less hazardous solvents such as acetone, ethanol, and acetic acid, and subsequently immobilized on the BS for decorative purposes. Notably, tensile mechanical properties of the BS improved up to 75% after guanine decoration and exposure to simulated environmental factors like UV radiation. This work addresses the dual challenge of pollution and resource depletion, demonstrating that BS from salmon skin offer an eco-friendly alternative. It underscores the importance of adopting sustainable practices throughout the fashion industry’s production chain.