A biodegradable bioplastic may be formed from starch or cellulose. A carbohydrate may be reacted with chloroacetamide and further reacted with one or more cross-linking agents to obtain a bioplastic material. The bioplastic material may be insoluble in water, and/or hydrophobic and/or substantially transparent. The bioplastic material may be formed into numerous shapes and structures. The bioplastic material may have high toughness, flexibility and/or moldability whereby the material is suitable for further processing into a wide variety of different shapes and structures. The bioplastic material may also be utilized as a barrier or coating on paper or other substrates for food packaging and other applications.