Bioplastic made from wood waste breaks down in three months
Finding alternative materials to plastic is a key step towards achieving a circular economy, where no harmful waste ever makes its way into the environment. In this pursuit, scientists have been using all sorts of biomass types to produce more eco-friendly bioplastics, and one of the latest Read More...
New durable bioplastic can withstand hot food and beverages
When compared to conventional plastics made out of fossil fuels, bioplastics definitely have an upper hand in terms of environmental impact. But there are still some shortcomings associated with these materials, one of them being their low stability when subjected to high temperatures. Thanks to Read More...
New biomaterial has plastic-like properties but is eco-friendly
Due to its amazing material properties such as flexibility, durability, and ease of manufacturing, plastic has made its way in virtually all aspects of society, becoming an indispensable material in nearly all industries. But, of course, this wondrous material has also brought our planet on the Read More...
Major brands could soon sell their bottled products in compostable packaging
Globally around 300 million tons of plastic is made from fossil fuels every year, which is a major contributor to the climate crisis. Most of this is not recycled and contributes to the scourge of microplastics in the world’s oceans. Among the main trouble-makers in this pollution crisis are Read More...
This teenager made a biodegradable “plastic” out of wasted prawn shells
What were you doing as a teenager? In Australia, a teen by the name of Angelina Arora has created a bioplastic out of discarded prawn shells, a waste product of the fishing industry. Angelina, 17, first came up with the idea to create a plastic alternative a few years ago, when she was just 13. Read More...
Scientists created a biodegradable adhesive. Here’s why that’s a big deal
While it's good that there are plastics that biodegrade when they're thrown away, the glue used to join pieces of those or other materials together isn't quite so eco-friendly. Scientists have recently set about addressing that problem, however, by developing a biodegradable adhesive. Created by Read More...
Only 12% of the banana plant is used. This process turns the rest into bioplastic
The growing of bananas is a particularly wasteful form of agriculture, with only 12 percent of the plant actually being used. The pseudostem makes up much of the rest, and while it can be composted or used in the production of textiles, it's usually just thrown away. In order to bring new value Read More...
This carbon-negatives raincoat is made entirely from algae bioplastic
A New York designer, by the name of Charlotte McCurdy, has created a water-resistant jacket made from a bioplastic material derived entirely from large-celled algae. Because the jacket is made of algae, which is the single biggest capturer of CO2 from the atmosphere, it’s technically Read More...
These machines transform discarded sea food waste into bioplastics
A quartet of designers have developed a series of machines that turn seafood waste into a biodegradable and recyclable bioplastic. What the machines do is they transform the shells of crustaceans into a paper-like material that could act as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. Each one Read More...
This company is turning avocado seeds into 100% biodegradable plastics
Unless you live under a rock, you’re probably aware that single-use plastic items such as disposable cutlery and straws are falling out of favor. In fact, cities around the world such as Seattle and Paris have already issued bans on straws. But what will come in its place? The answer may possibly Read More...