Bioplastics are more expensive than traditional, single-use plastics. The only hope is for a cheaper bioplastic material or a strict global ban on all oil-based plastics.
Why Bioplastics Will Not Solve the World’s Plastics Problem
Bioplastics are being touted by industry marketers as the solution to plastics pollution. But the idea that bottles and packaging made of plant-based material can simply be discarded and then break down and disappear is false – recycling and reuse are the only strategies that can work.
Seaweed, a common name for thousands of marine plants and algae found in different water bodies, not only provides food and shelter for marine animals, but it can also help solve the plastic pollution problem. Materials researchers from Flinders University in Australia and German biomaterials develo... Read more
Every day IO puts a start-up in the spotlight. Today: Tanaruz Boats. This start-up wants to make pleasure boating more widely available and the industry more sustainable.
Aboard the International Space Station, NASA is testing 3D printers that recycle old plastic to make new tools, a practice that may be a critical part of future moon missions.
UC Berkeley is a leader in 3D printing. From creating a prosthetic hand for an 8-year-old girl to a “smart cap” that senses spoiled food to large-scale cement buildings , engineers and designers on campus are pushing the technology to the limits,…
It will take several lifetimes for all of earth’s plastic waste to decompose, when not accounting for new plastics being produced every day. Nanites that can decompose plastics can help save us from this impending doom! https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
The use of plastics has many benefits – it is affordable, versatile, resistant, and can help reduce other forms of waste – especially food waste. However, when poorly managed it can pollute the environment and our oceans.
Where does the plastic in our oceans come from and what can we do to reduc... Read more
The Coca-Cola Company unveiled today a new plastic bottle made partially from plants. The “PlantBottle™” is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a
Bioplastics are more expensive than traditional, single-use plastics. The only hope is for a cheaper bioplastic material or a strict global ban on all oil-based plastics.
Why are seaweed bioplastics not yet mainstream?
Check out these scientists that are turning food waste into eco-friendly bioplastics that can replace oil-based plastics.
https://showme.missouri.edu/2023/engineering-researcher-helps-turn-food-wastes-into-plastic/
3D printers can even make boats out of plastic waste! The possibilities are endless.
NASA uses 3D printers to recycle plastic waste at the International Space Station.
Some 3D printers can even re-use plastic from 3D-printed products.
It’s been done already! Check out this 3D printer that uses plastic waste to produce finished plastic products.
3D printing can help curb the plastic crisis by upcycling plastic waste that usually ends up in landfills and water bodies.
This coke ice bottle sure did raise some eyebrows, but mass production would be a logistical nightmare.
Well, this YouTuber managed to make a water bottle with ice. But how do you hold it with your hands?
How about these plastic-eating enzymes?
These nanites can break down microplastics into CO2 and water. So maybe there is hope for our planet yet!
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/this-new-nanotech-could-help-clean-up-earths-microplastics
It will take several lifetimes for all of earth’s plastic waste to decompose, when not accounting for new plastics being produced every day. Nanites that can decompose plastics can help save us from this impending doom!
https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
Plant plastics are more sustainable. Every company should follow Coca-Cola’s way
https://www.packagingdigest.com/smart-packaging/coca-cola-company-introducesbioplastic-bottle
Why are we not making plastics from the hemp tree?
You can make plant plastics from many materials, including waste byproducts such as sugarcane pulp.
Plant plastics might be eco-friendly, but there are doubts about whether they can completely solve the plastic crisis.