Desenvolvimento de compostos biodegradáveis EVA/resíduo de EVA/amido.

Abstract

The search for well-being and comfort, convenience and disposability, lightness and aesthetics were the driving forces for the large increase in the plastic materials consumption. On the other hand, this increase in consumption resulting in increased disposal both by population and by industries. The footwear industry holds a large percentage in the materials disposal. Each pair of footwear produced a waste quantity is generated. One of the most discarded materials in the environment by the footwear industry is Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). This discard cause environmental impacts and ecosystem degradation. The sustainable concepts are based on the reduction of environmental impacts and natural resources conservation. It is based on this concept that the objective of this research was to develop a compound with residue of EVA footwear from industry and a renewable biodegradable load. Therefore, we developed a biodegradable composite with different amounts of EVA waste / EVA resin / starch / crude glycerin and evaluated their mechanical properties and their biodégradation in simulated soil. The mechanical properties were favourable in compositions with lower starch levels. The Glycerin provided the best mechanical results when compared with samples containing oil derived from non-renewable source. The Compositions Biodégradation occurred in all compositions, however it was observed a degradation more effective in compositions with greater starch levels and in weeks with more rehearsal time. The final material can be applied to the footwear industry and/or related sectors.