PRODUCTION OF ECO-FRIENDLY FOOD WRAP FILMS FROM BANANA PEELS

ABSTRACT The increasing environmental problems associated with the use of synthetic plastic food packaging have created the need for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives. This study focuses on the production of eco-friendly food wrap films from banana peels, an abundant agricultural waste material. Banana peels were processed, dried, and converted into a film-forming solution using appropriate plasticizers to improve flexibility and strength. The produced films were evaluated for physical properties such as thickness, tensile strength, flexibility, water absorption, and biodegradability. The results showed that banana peel-based films possess good film-forming ability, acceptable mechanical strength, and enhanced biodegradability compared to conventional plastic wraps. The films also demonstrated potential suitability for short-term food packaging applications. This study concludes that banana peels can serve as a low-cost, renewable, and environmentally friendly raw material for the production of biodegradable food wrap films, thereby reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable food packaging practices.