Our researcher friend Panos needs your help! ♹
What — if anything — do you know about bioplastics and their preservation? This survey is open to ANYONE (not just heritage professionals), so please take a couple of minutes to fill out his survey here:
https://forms.office.com/r/XJv81gneMW
Seriously, ANYONE. Artists, museum folk, people with 3D printers, wargamers, teachers, someone who just thinks 3D printing is neat - please contribute!
Published ! Our article explores strategic solutions to combat water pollution caused by plastics. With global plastic production at 330B tons/year, we need urgent action via bioplastics, biodegradation & policy reform. 
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52395-4_3
4. Bioplastics Are Not the Solution 
To solve plastic pollution, we need nontoxic, reusable materials — not more single-use disposable products.
Acts like plastic, but made of plants? As the plastic pollution crisis grows in scale and urgency, consumer product and packaging companies are increasingly relying on so-called “bioplastics” to replace conventional fossil-fuel plastics.
So here's a thing:
Starbucks in Japan to ditch paper straws for plant-based biomass plastic in 2025
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/12/06/companies/starbucks-biomass-plastic-straw/
#plastic #bioplastic "plastics #bioplastics
Instead of oil and land: Researchers at #CharitéBerlin have engineered new strains of bacteria 
that can produce #chemicals 
from industrial waste 
. Using this technology, things like #bioplastics and #biofuels could be produced more sustainably. The team achieved this feat by getting the bacteria to follow a completely new type of metabolism called #RespiroFermentation. Viva la #sustainability! 
@jlkru #science #research #chemistry #CharitéPaper #ScienceMastodon
The excitement with #Bioplastics, #PLA, and cornstarch polymers ain’t it; the products they’re attempting to replace are intended to survive hot beverages/food and prolonged exposure to moisture. We need to reduce our need for these products rather than simply replacing them with materials that by definition cannot be 100% biodegradable. Intermediate steps are necessary, but your local coffee shop hawking the latest and greatest ”biocup” is no reason for you to stop bringing your own thermos.
Regular reminder: "bioplastics" are NOT better for the environment, and "biodegradable" plastics don't biodegrade unless they're in an industrial composter. The focus needs to be on reducing unnecessary plastic use, and closing the loop on everything else. Making plastic out of corn/bamboo instead really doesn't help. #Ocean #Pollution #Bioplastics See here for more:
https://hakaimagazine.com/news/dont-overestimate-bioplastics-benefits/?omhide=true&utm_source=Hakai+Magazine+Weekly&utm_campaign=18b87df7a5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_06_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fc1967411-18b87df7a5-121628661
The Hidden Environmental Consequences of Bio-Based Plastics: #Bioplastics aim to capture #carbon. But at what cost?
https://slate.com/technology/2023/01/bioplastics-carbon-capture-environmental-cost.html
"... plastics made from ... biological feedstocks ... will readily decompose, because the bacteria will 'recognize' the molecular bonds they need to break down and digest them."
- #ElspethMcRae, #ScionResearch
I've heard conflicting reports on how easy it is to compost #bioplastics. It's an area that needs careful scrutiny.
Hey, #solarpunk s, is it possible to extrude homemade #bioplastics into 3d printer filament. Can I make my used coffee grounds, some corn starch, etc into stuff? I mean, probably not the grounds, but maybe finer material?
Charles ☭ Hutchins