A Review on Plastic Pollution and Biodegradation of Polyethylene: Indian Region

Abstract

Plastic is a broad category of organic polymers with a high molecular weight derived from a variety of hydrocarbons and petroleum derivatives. Plastic utilization has accelerated with the global population as a result of technological advancements; plastics and their types have shown a wide range of applications in every aspect of human life, most notably in packaging, transportation, and storage of industrial and agricultural products, raising the serious issue of plastic waste pollution and disposal. Plants, animals, and humans have all been harmed by the ever-increasing proportion of plastics in the environment. Among all plastic types, Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic that is used, therefore it needs to study overall pollution caused by polyethylene plastic type. So, our objective is toprovide a brief review of plastic pollution with preference to polyethylene plastictype , its increasing concentration, and degradation mechanisms. This review focuses on plastic classification, with a focus on plastic biodegradation, specifically polyethylene, and the methodologies and microorganisms utilized for polyethylene biodegradation, with a greater emphasis on India. It will help to understand the status of polyethylene degradation and add preventive measures for its increasing quantity.