DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE TREEPOTS MADE WITH BEE WAX AND WASTES OF CASHEW NUT
agro-industrial waste, beeswax, sustainable development. circular economy.
Seedling production is commonly carried out in polyethylene bags and polypropylene treepots, raw material from petroleum. In addition to being derived from non-renewable natural resources, they have a long life cycle and cause a relevant environmental impact. Forest and agro-industrial waste, which also applies to this use, is renewable, easy-to-obtain and biodegradable materials. Thus, the study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using cashew residues associated with beeswax for the manufacture of biodegradable treepots intended for the production of seedlings of forest essences. The treepots will be made with residues from the processing of cashew nuts previously selected and classified. The cashew nut husks will be used to manufacture the treepots and will be evaluated according to the standards TAPPI ABNT, ASTM and TAPPI. Additionally, the biodegradable treepots and conventional treepots will be submitted to the planting of Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) seedlings and evaluated their development in a greenhouse and in the field.