A gloved hand holds a piece of clear plastic in front of a sign on a block wall.South Dakota State University

Research Reveals Potential for Bioplastic Packaging from Ag Waste

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South Dakota State University associate professor Srinivas Janaswamy is working on developing value-added products from agricultural waste products that offer biodegradable alternatives to plastic for packaging. His latest research involved using cellulose derived from grapevine canes to create transparent film that biodegrades after 17 days in soil. Janaswamy says the clear, strong film has high potential for use in food packaging. Grapevine canes are a woody part of the plant that is trimmed back each year following harvest, and studies show that their biomass could be removed every other year without impacting soil health in vineyards. “Using underutilized grapevine prunings as a cellulose source for packaging films enhances waste management in the field and addresses the global issue of plastic pollution,” Janaswamy said.