Bioplastics

A new study examines consumers' familiarity with bioplastics in Japan, their preferences for bioplastic products, and the effect of educational interventions on their preferences. Credit: Takuro Uehara from Ritsumeikan University, Japan Non-biodegradable plastics are major contributors to land and marine pollution, destroying habitats and causing harm to both flora and fauna. Hence, the switch to bioplastics is imperative to…

It’s tempting to think of purchasing plastic cups labeled as compostable or using plastic cutlery made of biodegradable materials as a better choice for the environment—but there are a lot of complexities at play. A study published Wednesday in PLOS ONE demonstrates how a popular bioplastic advertised as biodegradable does not actually break down in the ocean.Sean Gunn’s Favorite Songs from the Guardians SeriesThe world’s got a big plastic problem, and it’s choking our oceans. For every person on Earth, there are now…

Researchers suggest that a circular bioeconomy using bio-based raw materials can greatly reduce the environmental impact of the global plastic sector. While high greenhouse gas emission prices and circular strategies are not enough, combining these with bio-based raw materials, emissions-free electricity, and high-quality recycling could potentially turn the sector into a carbon sink. However, this requires improved waste management, circular product design, and greater use of chemical recycling.A circular bioeconomy can…

Five diverse companies received approval from the Colorado Economic Development Commission on Thursday for up to $6.94 million in state tax incentives tied to the creation of 745 new jobs along the northern Front Range. The largest award of $2.95 million in job growth incentive tax credits went to Project Galvanic, a Colorado-based maker of electric planes looking at locating a $24.5 million manufacturing facility in either Centennial or Jefferson County. The company expects to add 433 net new jobs, mostly in…

Photo: MikeDotta (Shutterstock)Most bioplastics can’t be put into the same municipal recycling streams as other plastics, since they can contaminate the other plastics and make the whole batch unusable. Many consumer-facing bioplastics, however, can be composted: unlike traditional plastic, a cup made out of some types of bioplastic could be broken down by microbes under the right conditions. In theory, that’s incredibly cool, and may make you feel better about buying something plastic: it won’t last as long in the…