Agricultural waste-based substitute for polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene foam has caused serious environmental problems worldwide due to its non-biodegradability and sometimes toxicity. Thus, it is important to reduce plastic pollution and to develop biodegradable alternatives. The largest citrus fruit, the pomelo, features a peel of significant bulk that is frequently discarded. The peel has a lightweight, porous structure, and is cheap and biodegradable. The purpose of this project was to determine whether certain characteristics of the pomelo peel make it an effective bio-packaging material. More specifically, we studied the compressive mechanical properties and impact energy absorption performance of pomelo peels. The results indicate that the peel can withstand strain, which reflects its capability to resist pressure and absorb energy. It is also somewhat elastic, works like a spring, and does not collapse outward, thus maintaining its integrity. The cushion test demonstrated that the porous structure of pomelo peels can provide foam-like protection for eggs. Some properties of pomelo peels are similar to or surpass those of foam, making it a promising candidate for packaging alternatives to expanded polystyrene foam.