Thoughts

June 25, 2002
It's melting... Biodegradable Plastic

I'm not quite sure what to think about this new form of plastic that is being covered in Wired Magazine. While I am all for the idea of biodegradable materials, I can't help but wonder about what hidden costs there are in this new type of materials. All too often the eco-miracle turns out to have a very dark side.

The latest breakthrough has come in Australia, where scientists have developed an even better bioplastic:It biodegrades at temperatures as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit - simply by being exposed to moisture and microorganisms in the soil. Your candy bar's bioplastic wrapper accidentally blows out of the car window as you barrel down the highway? Not a problem. With a little rain, it dissolves in an hour. In a matter of weeks, it disintegrates into carbon dioxide and water.

Is that all that it really breaks down into? Or are there other ingredients that are currently considered 'safe' because nobody has actually sat down and tested them properly. And what happens when there is high humidity? Will your plastic containers start to get gooey around the edges?

Posted by Patrick at June 25, 2002 08:56 AM
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