Development of BioFlex EcoPlast™: A High-Strength Biodegradable Composite Plastic from Banana Peel, Sugarcane Bagasse, Banana Fibre, and Treated Textile Dye Wastewater

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of petroleum-based plastic waste, together with the growing generation of agricultural residues and industrial wastewater, has created a need for integrated and sustainable waste-valorization strategies. Conventional plastics offer excellent durability and versatility but are highly persistent in the environment, while many existing bioplastics suffer from inadequate mechanical strength, moisture sensitivity, and limited thermal stability. The present study proposes BioFlex EcoPlast™: a High-Strength Biodegradable Composite Plastic from Banana Peel, Sugarcane Bagasse, Banana Fibre, and Treated Textile Dye Wastewater as a conceptual multi-waste material system developed through secondary research and systematic literature synthesis. Published studies were comparatively analyzed to evaluate banana-peel bioplastics, natural-fibre reinforcement, sugarcane-bagasse composites, banana-fibre applications, textile wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse, and circular-economy approaches. The synthesis indicates that banana peel can serve as a biodegradable biomass matrix but generally requires reinforcement to overcome limitations in mechanical performance. Sugarcane bagasse can potentially contribute stiffness and structural stability, while banana fibre provides a cellulose-rich reinforcing phase capable of supporting tensile load transfer. Plasticizer incorporation is considered necessary to improve flexibility and processability, although excessive plasticizer content may reduce strength and increase moisture sensitivity. Textile dye wastewater presents a distinct challenge; therefore, the proposed framework considers only appropriately treated wastewater as a controlled process-resource component, subject to contaminant removal, chemical characterization, toxicity assessment, and safety validation. Based on the reviewed evidence, BioFlex EcoPlast™ integrates these complementary functions within a circular-economy pathway that connects agricultural-residue valorization, industrial wastewater resource recovery, biodegradable composite development, and appropriate end-of-life management. The study identifies a significant research gap in the integrated utilization of banana peel, sugarcane bagasse, banana fibre, and treated textile wastewater within a single biodegradable composite framework. Importantly, BioFlex EcoPlast™ is a literature-derived conceptual model and has not yet been experimentally validated. Future research should therefore focus on formulation optimization, mechanical and thermal characterization, water-resistance testing, biodegradation assessment, wastewater safety, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and pilot-scale development. The proposed framework provides a foundation for future experimental investigation into high-performance, waste-derived biodegradable composite plastics.