Abstract :

The research titled “Biodegradable Materials for Packaging Design to Minimize Environmental Impact and Reduce Carbon Dioxide” addresses the global issue of plastic and cardboard packaging waste, which contributes significantly to climate change. The introduction highlights the massive production of plastics (50% in Asia, with China accounting for 29%) and cardboard (over 400 million tons annually, with recycling rates below 60%). In Mexico, 40% of cardboard ends up in landfills due to systemic inefficiencies.

A sustainable system is proposed based on two pillars: 3D printing with compostable organic filaments (such as PLA reinforced with agricultural waste: coffee, sugarcane bagasse, and rice husks) for internal inserts, and totomoxtle (corn husks pressed with bio-epoxy resins) as an alternative to rigid cardboard. These materials reduce CO2 emissions by 30–50% (average 45%) compared to fossil-based plastics and degrade within 4–12 weeks in industrial composting, promoting a circular economy and cultural value in Mexico.

The methodology is quantitative, correlational, and experimental, utilizing the SALSA method to review literature (2020–2025) from databases such as Nature and ScienceDirect. It includes a pilot study with convenience sampling in local companies, measuring variables such as CO2 reduction and industrial viability. Preliminary results confirm environmental and mechanical benefits but identify limitations in costs (2–3 times higher), scalability, and logistics. The analysis validates initial hypotheses, emphasizing the need for optimization to achieve industrial adoption and closing the gaps between theoretical potential and practical application.

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Keywords :

Biodegradable packaging, CO2 reduction, Corn totomoxtle, Industrial sustainability, Reinforced PLA.

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