Heat Resistant and Compostable Plastic Wrap is Here

Why was seaweed-based plastic wrap developed?

Every year, large amounts of thin plastic wraps are used to wrap vegetables or other food items. Most of them end up in our dustbins. Sometimes, they can be recycled in special recycling facilities or cannot be recycled at all. Although biodegradable plastics are available, they can take months or years to break down.

We are all aware that plastic trash is bad for the environment. So, researchers from the University of Leeds, UK, have created a plastic wrap from seaweed. This plastic wrap is resistant to high temperatures and is also compostable. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic for food packaging.

How was this seaweed-based plastic wrap created?

Scientists are developing seaweed-based plastic using sargassum, a brown seaweed. The molecules in this seaweed are similar to those found in ordinary plastic. This makes it a good material for making plastic wraps.

The scientists mixed sargassum with acids and salts to make seaweed-based plastic. They then added chemicals to thicken it and make it more flexible. The researchers then used this material to create thin plastic films and checked how well it held up when heated or put in a compost bin.

This seaweed-based plastic could resist high temperatures. Also, it started decaying or rotting in less than three weeks. In industrial facilities, composting took only 11 days. When put in water, the plastic did not release any chemicals. This showed researchers that it can be used for packing foods such as sliced fruits.

When can this seaweed-based plastic be available in shops?

More studies are needed before manufacturing and selling this material for everyday use. Tests must also be conducted to see whether it is suitable for longer use, such as wrapping candies to store them for a month or more.

Researchers must also determine how much energy and water are used when a lot of this material has to be produced. This will help us to create an efficient plan to manufacture it.

Let’s hope scientists working on this project are successful. Until then, do your part by avoiding plastics like straws, plastic bags, etc.