A New Type of Bioplastic Made From Fish Waste Could One Day Replace Non-Biodegradables
It looks and feels like plastic. But it’s stronger. Completely biodegradable, you can throw it out alongside food scraps and don’t have to worry about it filling landfills or polluting the environment. The best part is that it’s all made from organic fish waste. What we’re talking about is a type of bioplastic.
What are bioplastics?
Bioplastics take a renewable, biodegradable source material and turn it into something resembling plastic. Think of it as a sort of imitation plastic, just like imitation meat has become to the food industry. Through bioplastics, we pollute less and provide the world with eco-friendly recyclable plastic waste that doesn’t contribute to the increasing lack of landfill space we have recyclable plastic waste.
Bioplastics made from fish waste
The bioplastic we are talking about here is made from organic fish waste – waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. To a degree, this has resolved two problems. The second being the inefficient ways in which we deal with fish waste. The result of all this work done by a student at the University of Sussex in the UK is what she’s called MarinaTex. Able to break down in soil in 4-6 weeks, this is a groundbreaking discovery.
How are bioplastics made?
MarinaTex uses red algae to bind proteins extracted from fish skins and scales. This creates overlapping bonds in a flexible sheet material. As mentioned, it looks and feels exactly like plastic. Most people wouldn’t know the difference. Testing bioplastics for performance has also seen MarinaTex scoring higher above plastics in being stronger, safer, and more sustainable.
Half of our plastics are used in packaging
We use millions of tons of plastic every year, with roughly half of this being in packaging. As this waste is separated in our garbage bins, plastics are commonly put into the landfill – even biodegradable and compostable plastics.
The problem of fish waste no one talks about
Like other industries, fishing produces its fair amount of waste as well. Tons of fish waste are produced every year – things like blood, offal, crustacean, shellfish exoskeletons, and fish skin and scales. These are either incinerated or sent to the landfill. Did you know a single Atlantic cod contains enough organic waste to manufacture 1,400 MarinaTex bags – it’s true! Manufacturing doesn’t require much to produce a sizeable result.
Imaginative solution for the global waste problem
Within the waste and recycling industry, so many problems exist that are in need of fixing. It’s solutions like MarinaTex that have the potential to change how we think about waste, being environmentally sustainable, and achieving zero waste. Bioplastics like MarinaTex could potentially change the world.
Saying goodbye to the plastics of yesteryear
Plastic has always been a very diverse, all-around amazing material. That said, it just does not make any sense to use plastic – an incredibly highly durable material – for a day of use. It’s unsustainable. We fully encourage more waste management solutions, recycling initiatives, material redevelopment and reuse, and the incorporation of greener, more sustainable waste practices.
Core Mini Bins is a waste disposal, junk removal, bin rental, and garbage collection service in Toronto. Our focus remains eco-friendly waste disposal. Helping homeowners and businesses simplify their waste pick-up and collection, call Core Mini Bins for more information on what we can offer you.
