Degradable Plastic
A group of researchers led by Associate Professor Taka-Aki Asoh and Professor Hiroshi Uyama of the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, has, in collaboration with Nihon Shokuhin Kako Co., combined the ubiquitous biomasses starch and cellulose to develop a marine biodegradable plastic. Starch is the main component of the carbohydrates found in corn, tubers, and roots such as potatoes; cellulose is the main component of plants and commonly known as cotton fiber. Using their unique technology, the researchers improved the water resistance of starch significantly, and the resultant composite sheet material demonstrated excellent water resistance and high strength in addition to its high levels of biodegradability in seawater.
"biodegradability in seawater"
How awesome would that be? A bottle slowly dissolving into the salts of the ocean.
Of course that raises another question: are there any negative/harmful aspects to all this starch & cellulose being added to the seas? If not, WOW!
And then there's the issue of $$$...... wonder what a starch/cellulose bottle costs to use/manufacture vs. a standard plastic one? Hopefully very comparable so that companies will be very quick to adopt the new technology.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
