Using a special technical approach, the team is working on plastic films derived from konjac flour and starch, cellulose or proteins that are fully edible and harmless if accidentally eaten by people or animals—unlike health issues associated with microplastics and other plastic waste that make their way into the food chain.
The researchers have found that plant carbohydrate and protein macromolecules bond together into a special network structure during the film-forming process. The network structure provides the film with a required mechanical strength and transparent appearance for the film to be used as packaging materials.
The idea is to reduce incidence of plastic in the environment.
(Score: 2) by suburbanitemediocrity on Tuesday November 27 2018, @07:07PM (4 children)
It is 100% biodegradable and almost 100 years old.
(Score: 5, Informative) by takyon on Tuesday November 27 2018, @07:47PM (2 children)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane [wikipedia.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday November 27 2018, @07:57PM
Similar to my question about this one then :
> from konjac flour and starch, cellulose or proteins that are fully edible and harmless
The problem with the word "from" is that the base properties don't necessarily apply to the "into", or the process.
Oil is made from biodegradable and often healthy products, but plastic made from oil ...
(Score: 4, Funny) by legont on Tuesday November 27 2018, @08:15PM
Similar to solar pannels, the production can be outsourced so we enjoy clean environment.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Tuesday November 27 2018, @08:01PM
It's still around. I remember it as the main packaging for stuff like crackers and candy until companies started to use the plastic film from dead dinosaurs in the late 50's and early 60's. It is rather stiff and hard to reuse so fell out of favor against cling wrap and plastic bags.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane [wikipedia.org]
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