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CSU Announces Redesigned “Dream” Biodegradable Plastics

Brag

While they are biodegradable in the ambient environment, they are brittle and cannot easily be melt-processed and recycled. CSU states that PHAs are a class of polymers naturally created by living microorganisms or synthetically produced from biorenewable feedstocks.

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Climate change is the greatest design problem of our time. Mushrooms to the rescue?

Environmental News Bits

Mycelium offers an exciting change to upcycle agricultural waste into a low-cost, sustainable, biodegradable construction material. Read the full story at Fast Company. Even NASA wants to use mycelium on Mars. Read more →

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DOE Publishes New Strategy for Plastics Innovation

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This is further complicated by the need for more robust processes that can convert diverse and contaminated plastic waste streams into useful chemical intermediates that can be upcycled into high-value products.

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From Dust You Were Made, From Dust You Shall Return: On Human Composting & Upcycling (in some cases)

Acoel

Natural organic reduction – also known as ‘terramation’ — involves placing a dead body in a reusable vessel with biodegradable materials such as wood chips and straw, that aid in its transformation into nutrient-rich soil. Yes, pun intended.

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DOE Invests On Next Generation Plastics Technologies

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The selected R&D projects, led by industry and universities, will focus on converting plastic films into more valuable materials and designing new plastics that are more recyclable and biodegradable. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. ” According to DOE’s EERE, less than ten percent of plastics are recycled currently.

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DOE Announces Investment In R&D For Plastic Recycling Technologies

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There are many obstacles to plastic film recycling, including collection, sorting, contamination, and lack of economically viable methods for recycling and upcycling.

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Save the peels: How bananas can be used to fight the plastic waste crisis

Environmental News Bits

How can banana peels help fight the plastic waste crisis?

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