Got food scraps? 🌱 Aussie researchers at Monash University have whipped up an epic solution: turning food waste sugars into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — natural biopolymers that can be cast into ultrathin, compostable films. Think biodegradable cling wrap that behaves like regular plastic but breaks down with your kitchen waste! 🙌
Led by Edward Attenborough from Monash Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, the team fed two soil bacteria, Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, a balanced diet of sugars, salts, nutrients and trace elements. Once the microbes produced PHAs inside their cells, researchers extracted and cast them into ultrathin films just 20 microns thick, then tested stretchiness, strength and melting behavior. The result? Versatile films that can be molded just like conventional plastics.
Why it matters 🚀 Global plastic production tops 400 million tons a year, most of it single-use. These new bioplastics offer a compostable alternative for food and agricultural packaging, medical films and more — no special recycling bins required. Just toss them in with your food or garden waste! ♻️
What’s next? The team is already teaming up with industry partners to scale up production and bring these compostable heroes to market soon. Get ready for a greener wrap that’s as fresh as your veggies! 🥬💚
Reference(s):
Scientists in Australia create natural plastics for everyday packaging
cgtn.com
