The swift growth of new materials based on natural fibers and biopolymers is pri­marily accelerated by factors such as greater environmental awareness and the de­pletion of petrochemical resources.11

9.2.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

The disposal of composite derived from glass fibers and petroleum based polymer matrices, after their intended life span is becoming a problem and very expensive. Their recycling and reuse is critical because they are made from two different ma­terials. The two most implemented disposal alternatives are land filling and incin­eration. Landfill space is drastically decreasing due to the heavy ongoing waste disposal.2 The increasing environmental pollution due to the use of abundant plas­tics and emissions during incineration is greatly affecting the food we eat, water we drink, and even the air we breathe.2 Composite consisting of biofibers which are biodegradable and conventional thermoplastics or thermosets which are nonbiode­gradable would partially resolve these mentioned problems. However, if the matrix resin/ polymer is biodegradable such biofiber reinforced biopolymer composites would become completely biodegradable. Biopolymer or synthetic polymers rein­forced with natural fibers (known as biocomposites) are a feasible alternative to glass fiber composites. Figure 9.3 shows the life cycle of natural fiber reinforced composites.