Natural-based food packaging from banana leaves: Innovation toward sustainable and circular food systems

Abstract

Background: Global food waste and the extensive use of non-biodegradable plastics in food packaging remain among the most pressing environmental challenges, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and economic losses. In response, bio-based and biodegradable materials derived from agricultural residues have gained attention as sustainable alternatives. Among these, banana leaves offer great potential due to their abundance, biodegradability, and mechanical strength. This study was conducted to synthesize current advancements, challenges, and future directions in the development of banana-leaf-based materials for sustainable food packaging applications, with particular attention to food protection and quality preservation. Methods: This study employs a systematic liter