The use of biopolymers and ediblefilms represents one strategy helping efforts to decrease pressure on municipal waste disposal
systems. The use of recycled materials in food packaging applications might represent a faster and easier solution for the immediate
future. For example, in the US, recycled packaging materials need to comply with the same regulations that apply to all packaging
materials in contact with foodstuffs and meet the purity requirements of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA, 2002). While in
Europe, the recycled materials must meet the specific requirement stated by theMember State legislation, depending onwhether the
material is plastic or paper, and meet the safety requirement outlined in the EU Framework Regulation (Misko, 2013). More details
on regulations and on the use of alternative sources for recyclable packaging have been described in dedicated Sections of the
Module.
This Section of the Module offers an overview of the different categories of ediblefilms and biodegradable polymers, based on
their process of synthesis and their physical and chemical characteristics. Strategies to recycle paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics
are also described. The most significant research studies and commercial applications in thefield of food packaging are provided,
along with trends, opportunities, and challenges