Dynamics of Biodegradable Plastics in the Process of Food Waste Biotreatment and Environmental Risks of Residual Plastic Fragments

The issue of (micro) plastic pollution has received much attention. The fate of discarded biodegradable plastic products (plastic bags, lunch boxes, etc.) entering the engineering environment (aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion) with food waste, as well as the (micro) plastic environmental risks associated with their application, is not yet clear. Therefore, this chapter summarizes current related academic research and focuses on the impact of two different biological treatment methods on biodegradable plastics. At the same time, the potential environmental risks of microplastics after the use of food waste compost products and biogas residue on land were identified (including soil material turnover, microorganisms, and micro animals). Finally, corresponding prevention and control measures (such as extending composting time, increasing temperature for anaerobic digestion, bioremediation of earthworms, etc.) are proposed to reduce the occurrence of microplastics in the soil.