Sustainable Manufacturing and Natural Dyeing of Biodegradable Films from Biological Waste Materials

Abstract

The increasing emphasis on sustainability in the textile field has stimulated growing interest in biodegradable materials derived from renewable biological waste resources. This study adopts a design-oriented approach to the fabrication and natural dyeing of biodegradable bio-based fabrics using three commonly discarded biological wastes—eggshells, coffee grounds, and orange peels—chosen for their distinct chemical compositions and material properties. Eggshells provide a calcium-carbonate-rich and mildly alkaline environment that affects pigment stability; coffee grounds contain lignin and polyphenols that promote dye adsorption; orange peels offer pectin and cellulose, contributing to improved film-forming behavior and flexibility. Six natural dyes (phycocyanin, purple sweet potato, pumpkin, spinach, carrot, and beetroot powders) were incorporated under controlled conditions to investigate how substrate chemistry influences color development and material performance. Color uniformity, visual brightness, mechanical robustness, hydrophilicity, and thermal response were evaluated through standardized sensory and mechanical tests. Results demonstrate that eggshell-based fabrics exhibit the strongest dye uptake and color stability, coffee-ground-based fabrics provide superior toughness and hydrophobicity, and orange-peel-based fabrics show smoother texture and greater flexibility. These findings highlight the role of substrate chemical environments in governing natural dye adsorption and fixation. By integrating waste-resource utilization with environmentally benign coloration, this study contributes both scientific insights and design-oriented strategies to the sustainable development of biodegradable textile materials.