Biodegradable Tubes Based on Beeswax and Cashew Nut Wastes: An Eco-Friendly Solution for Seedling Production

• Published in: Waste and biomass valorization Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 697 - 707
• Main Authors: de Paula, Yara Lemos, de Melo, Rafael Rodolfo, Paula, Edgley Alves de Oliveira, de Morais, Elis Regina Costa, Rodolfo Junior, Francisco, Pimenta, Alexandre Santos, de Oliveira, Ramona Rodrigues Amaro, de Souza, Joana Alice Galdino, Scatolino, Maria Vanoli, Pedrosa, Talita Dantas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.02.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Anacardiaceae; Beeswax; Biodegradability; Biodegradable materials; Biodegradation; Bulk density; Engineering; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental impact; Food processing; Forestry; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Industrial wastes; Life cycles; Mechanical stimuli; Modulus of elasticity; Nonrenewable resources; Nuts; Original Paper; Petrochemicals; Petrochemicals industry; Polypropylene; Raw materials; Renewable and Green Energy; Renewable resources; Seedlings; Sustainable yield; Tubes; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Water absorption; Agroindustrial wastes; Circle economy; Seedlings production; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 1877-2641; 1877-265X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12649-023-02194-5

The production of forestry and agricultural seedlings is commonly carried out in polypropylene tubes, raw material from the petrochemical industry. Besides being derived from non-renewable resources, they are not biodegradable and have a long life cycle which may cause a significant environmental impact when disposed of in nature. Forest and agro-industrial wastes, which also apply to this use, are renewable, easily obtainable, and biodegradable materials. This work aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using cashew nut shell wastes associated with beeswax for the manufacture of biodegradable tubes. After roasting cashew nuts, the tubes were manufactured with different proportions of beeswax and nut shells. The average values observed for the bulk density of the biodegradable tubes varied between 0.83 and 1.00 g cm −3 for the different treatments evaluated. Tubes with 50% cashew nut achieved 8% and 4.5% for water absorption and swelling after 48 h, respectively. The modulus of elasticity reached a maximum of 19 MPa for 10% addition of cashew nut shell, while 50% of the waste reached a maximum of 15 MPa, which favors the rupture of the material by the developing roots. Concerning seedling indicators and compared to conventional polypropylene tubes, the alternative tubes presented a similar quality and lower deformation when exposed to mechanical stimulation. Studies of this type may serve as an incentive for improved field cultivation conditions, especially when combined with the principles of materials to be used in the not-so-distant future. Graphical Abstract