Expanded packaging can also
be made from renewable and biodegradable raw materials. In this case, the use of a renewable feedstock,
such as starch, can reduce the oil dependence and biodegradability can enable the organic recycling of
the final product. In this study, a life cycle assessment was performed on a prototype (a port-hole spacer
for washing machines) developed in a research project by applying a biodegradable plastic expanded by
means of microwave technology.