<h5>Why was seaweed-based plastic wrap developed?</h5><p>Every year, large amounts of thin plastic wrap are used to wrap vegetables and other food items. They require special recycling facilities and cannot be recycled. Even biodegradable plastics can take months or years to disintegrate.</p><p>We all know plastic waste is not suitable for the environment. So, researchers from the University of Leeds, UK, have developed a plastic wrap from seaweed. Not only is this plastic wrap heat resistant, but it is also compostable. The material can become a sustainable option for food packaging in the future.</p><h5>How was this seaweed-based plastic wrap created?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/heat-resistant-and-compostable-plastic-wrap-is-here%2Fplastic-wrapped-vegetables.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=d274219b-616f-406f-a9c5-b7d9b056056b"><figcaption>Plastic wraps used on vegetables. Photo by Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.</figcaption></figure><p>Scientists started developing seaweed-based plastic from sargassum. This brown seaweed is abundant along the coastlines of Trinidad and Tobago. It has molecules that are similar to those found in regular plastic. This makes it an excellent raw material for making plastic wraps.</p><p>The scientists combined sargassum with acids and salts. Then, they added chemicals to thicken it and make it more flexible. This caused it to bend very easily. Researchers then made thin plastic films from this substance and checked how well it held up when heated or put in a compost bin.</p><p>This seaweed-based plastic could withstand high temperatures. Also, over 90% of it disintegrated in less than three weeks (wow!). Composting only took 11 days in industrial facilities. Studies also showed the plastic did not leak any chemicals when kept in water. So, this new wrap can even be used to package foods like slice fruits.</p><h5>When can this seaweed-based plastic be available in shops?</h5><p>Before developing and selling this plastic for daily use, more studies must be conducted. We need to find out whether there are any long-term consequences to using this plastic. Manufacturing this new plastic commercially may require scientists to modify it as well.</p><p>Researchers must also determine how much energy and water will be required to mass produce this plastic. This will help us plan the production of this plastic more efficiently. The entire supply chain for creating this plastic must be studied properly before it can be sold to people.</p><p>Let’s hope scientists working on this project are successful. Until then, do your part by avoiding single-use plastics like straws, plastic bags, etc.</p>

Scientists are using sargassum, a brown seaweed, to make plastic wraps.

Heat Resistant and Compostable Plastic Wrap is Here

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