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Researchers in South Dakota State University's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences are developing the next generation of innovative packaging materials that may help curb the Earth's ongoing plastic waste crisis.

This work has led to ������Ƶ's worldwide recognition as a top packaging innovation research university. The top 5 ranking came from , which bridges the gap between academia and industry by partnering with companies, subject matter experts and associations to create a shared learning management system.

"Biobased products are our future," said Daniel Scholl, vice president for research and economic development. "Dr. Janaswamy’s innovative and outside-the-box thinking highlights why South Dakota State University and other land-grant universities are critical to the vitality of American society."

In ������Ƶ's Department of Dairy and Food Science, associate professor Srinivas Janaswamy is researching how lignocellulosic residue extracted from biowaste — like and — can be utilized to develop films. Agricultural byproducts such as soyhulls, corn husks, banana peels and avocado peels have also been used for Janaswamy's research.

Janaswamy's films look and feel similar to plastic packaging, while also mimicking many of the materials’ most desired traits, like high tensile strength. The difference? Janaswamy's films can biodegrade in the environment in less than 60 days while most plastics takes over 700 years to biodegrade.

"The lack of biodegradability of plastics and their effects on human health and the environment warrant remediation measures with a viable alternative," Janaswamy said. "We are researching different biomaterials from agricultural biomass, agricultural processing byproducts and wastes generated during the vegetables and fruits production to make films that stand out as both promising and inexpensive."

recognizes the work of Janaswamy and other ������Ƶ professors and graduate students.

“Our department is very proud of this important work to help reduce the use of plastics in our environment,” said Professor Londa Nwadike, the David A Thompson Endowed Head of the Department of Dairy and Food Science. "This work is also aiming to help provide new markets for farmers selling products such as soybeans and corn."

Other U.S.-based schools to be named as top packaging innovation research universities include Clemson University and North Carolina State University. A Spanish University and a South Korean University were also named to the list.