Bioplastic could be the solution to the growing accumulation of hydrocarbon-derived plastics. These 11 examples could be the future of plastic.
With reports of growing amounts of plastic accumulating in the Earth’s oceans, not to mention landfills, there is a real need for some form of biodegradable alternative. This is where bioplastics come into their own.
Since they are made from natural raw materials they are also able to be degraded by nature, in some cases literally eaten – by you. The following 13 bioplastic solutions could replace regular hydrocarbon derived plastics in the not too distant future.
This list is in no particular order and is far from exhaustive.
1. Bio-Plastic Can Now Be Made From Sugar and CO2
Scientists from the Centre of Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath managed to make a biodegradable form of plastic. It is also made sugar and carbon dioxide and not oil.
It is made by combining a sugar called thymidine with CO2 at low pressures and at room temperature.
2. Bioplastic Containers Can Be Made From Rice
Finnish researchers, in 2014, were able to use rice starch to make sustainable, biodegradable polymers. These polymers could then be used to make food packaging.
Their bio-plastic also had a high degree of thermal resistance and mechanical strength.
3. Bioplastic Food Wrappers Can Be Edible
Earlier this year researchers at the University of Otago have managed to develop food packaging made from corn and shellfish industry by-products. This is already great news but it gets better – you will be able to eat it too.
Their research will reduce our dependence on oil and other non-biodegradable plastics but also reduce waste by simply eating it rather than binning it.
4. Waste Frying Oil Can Be Converted to Bio-Plastic
Second-generation bioplastic can be made from used frying oil. This kind of oil is a great source of poly hydroxybutyrate that can be used to make bioplastics.
STU chemists have developed an idea for using bioplastics for sunglasses frames, the design that won the 2017 National Design Award. They are also waiting on a patent application for the process.
5. Banana Peel Could be Used to Make Bio-Plastic
In 2013, a Turkish teenager, Elif Bilgin, won the Science in Action Award for her concept of making bioplastic from banana peels. Elif managed to devise a chemical process for converting the peel into a resistant bioplastic that would offer a solution to reduce waste and our dependence on oil for plastics.
Her innovation won her the $50,000 dollar competition prize……Readmore