**2.2. The role of sustainable in the use of biopolymers**

The effects of pollution from nonbiodegradable plastics have been found in both terrestrial ecosystems and water, which has changed behavior, morphology and physiology of individ‐ uals, the distribution and abundance of populations, the structure of communities and dynamics of ecosystems. The increasing incorporation of these materials and its impact on the environment are due largely to having resistance to corrosion, weathering, and degradation by microorganisms.

Every year several million tons of plastic are produced in the world, for example, it has been documented that global production in 2013 increases to 299 million tons [16]. On the other hand, the deposition of plastic particles less than 5 mm has increased in the ecosystems, which may be acrylic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc., and can have an impact on different levels of ecological organization having a knock‐on effect and affecting biodiversity in terms of genes, species, or ecosystems.

Therefore, recent studies focus on finding new technologies to use biodegradable natural products (natural polymers), allowing replace conventional materials and significantly reduce the production and accumulation of garbage (plastic). The integrated use of natural resources as a source of conservation and recycling, becomes an excellent choice and innovation in the development of new biodegradable products.

chemical modification by esterification of glucose, such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, and methylcellulose (MC), are used as food additives in the case of CMC, and in the pharmaceutical industry, the MC and hydroxypropylcellulose are used in

The most important sectors that are intended to the biodegradable polymers are as follows:

However, the market of biodegradable polymers is an alternative market or replacement, intended to replace as a percentage of conventional materials for biodegradable materials. The demand is being generated from own production companies, appealing to a more ecological sense and responsible consumption, through the use of biodegradable materials. Nevertheless, given the evolution of the oil market with a view to 2020, it is estimated that replacement could reach almost 10% by weight, this involves managing areas for the cultivation of raw materials of which biopolymers are obtained and may present in a way as competitors in agricultural

Even if the biopolymers are widely distributed in the nature, only limited number of plants and animals are used extensively for the production of commercial biopolymers. It points to a "exploitation" of natural resources that if not treated as a "management" of these; could become an excessive and irresponsible consumption on natural resources. So, all renewable resource must be replenished twice to meet the needs of current and future generations, and

The effects of pollution from nonbiodegradable plastics have been found in both terrestrial ecosystems and water, which has changed behavior, morphology and physiology of individ‐ uals, the distribution and abundance of populations, the structure of communities and dynamics of ecosystems. The increasing incorporation of these materials and its impact on the environment are due largely to having resistance to corrosion, weathering, and degradation

Every year several million tons of plastic are produced in the world, for example, it has been documented that global production in 2013 increases to 299 million tons [16]. On the other hand, the deposition of plastic particles less than 5 mm has increased in the ecosystems, which may be acrylic, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc., and can have an impact on different levels of ecological organization having a knock‐on effect and affecting biodiversity

then, things that sustain life should also last in time, should be sustainable.

pharmaceutical tablets for sustained release of granules.

**•** Disposables (razors, dishes, spoon, and other items). **•** Electric and electronic (computers, photography).

**•** Containers and bags used in stores.

154 Composites from Renewable and Sustainable Materials

**•** Agricultural (plastic greenhouses).

**•** Sanitary (prosthesis).

by microorganisms.

in terms of genes, species, or ecosystems.

**•** Automotive (internal lining, mudguards).

area for biofuels, livestock feed, and human food.

**2.2. The role of sustainable in the use of biopolymers**

Also, biopolymers have the characteristic of being thermoplastics and have properties similar to petroleum‐based plastics. Its total biodegradation by bacteria that produce, fungi, and algae yield products such as CO2, water and then composted is a great advantage over synthetic [17].

Biopolymers synthesized by microorganisms, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), have the characteristic of being biodegradable, with physical properties similar to petroleum‐based plastics (e.g., are rigid, brittle, or flexible). This has led to an increased research on studies with PHA, and it is proved by [18] Lemoigne (1926), since he documented that the bacteria *Bacillus megaterium* yields PHA and it has been that more than 300 bacteria can produce this biopolymer.

Species such as *Alcaligenes latus*, *Azotobacter vinelandii*, *Herbaspirillum seropedicae*, *Pseudomonas oleovorans*, and *Wautersia eutropha* are mostly used, because they are easily grown and can accumulate a large amount of PHA in the form of granules within the bacterial cell, and up to 90% of the biomass. Despite this, tracking new producing strains, optimization in strategies culture and the production of PHA using strains of recombinant bacteria, remains challenging to reduce production costs and increase productivity using various strategies.

With emphasis on reducing environmental degradation caused by unnatural polymers, innovation studies are performed on cultivation technologies, processing, and application. The studies focus on using plants available as side products in agriculture to obtain biopolymers, for example: *Ananas commusus*, *Hevea*, *Lycopersicon esculentum*, *Manihot esculenta*, *Opuntia ficus‐ indica*, *Saccharum*, *Solanum quitoense*, *Zea mayz.*

Plants are an excellent alternative in the production of biopolymers, because they can be grown in large tracts of land generating high levels of biomass, as they use sunlight as an energy source.

The disturbances caused by high levels of pollution produced by plastic are another factor that set in crisis the biodiversity of genes, species, and ecosystems on the planet. Therefore, the effort to search for new alternatives of natural polymers, which allow contaminated environ‐ ments return to their state of pre‐disturbance, is essential. More studies are necessary with an integrative approach to enable sustainable development, defined as "which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to provide their own needs" [19, 20]. This sustainable development is a key element for the management of natural resources [21], involving environmental, economic and social aspects.

To take a direction to the management systems of natural resources more sustainable, it is necessary to adjust the economic model with the conviction that security, the welfare, and survival of the planet depend on these changes [19]. Thus, from the 1960s, it began to start to have a sense of comprehension of serious environmental problems, and therefore, the conse‐ quences for economic and social development [19, 22], resulting several years later in the approval of the global Earth Charter and the formation of the World Commission on Envi‐ ronment and Development. This commission presented in 1987 the Brundtland Report which is distinguished by describing for the first time the concept of sustainable development.

Conservation of biodiversity in the world is crucial not only in the socioeconomic and industry development of a country, but also maintain environmental stability, including the protection of water resources, flora and fauna [23]. Particularly, forest biodiversity focusing in the struggle for the sustainable conservation of biodiversity embedded in the convention on biological diversity (CBD), because the forests contain most photosynthetically active biomass and contain the greatest diversity of species in terrestrial ecosystems, in addition to providing an important source of food, medicines, energy and building materials, provides esthetic and cultural values [23].

Returning to the above, we have a disorderly growth and an imminent ecological, social and environmental imbalance, insomuch is established a direct correlation between economic growth and environmental degradation. Thus, there is a need to develop synergies between economic subsystems, social, and environmental [24].

It is necessary to have an ecological mentality and changing consumption patterns; guide efforts towards the efficient use and recycling of resources; develop more efficient technologies that mainly use renewable resources; conserve natural ecosystems and promote the partici‐ pation of all social actors [21, 22, 24]. With this new model, imbalance can be handled with a holistic approach to the development [24].

Currently, there is a need to evaluating socioenvironmental system and guide actions and policies for the sustainable management of natural resources. The concept of sustainability or sustainable development is clearly on the basis of assessment of sustainability [20]. Indicators are a central element in practice the concept of sustainability. They represent a link between the theoretical development of the concept and its practical application [21].

The concept of sustainable development has gained attention locally, nationally, and interna‐ tionally to guide planning and policy in the transition to the sustainable development. This performs every aspect of human life, one of which is education. Education for sustainability was recognized by the UNESCO in 1975, and today, it is found that this can help to change attitudes and behavior of people as consumers, producers, and citizens to carry out their responsibilities. Agenda 21, (Action plan proposed by the United Nations Organization), reaffirmed the importance of education for sustainability and the need to consider all social, economic, and political aspects of sustainable development, in addition to environmental protection [22].
