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Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

Posted August 14, 2008 10:14 AM

From INHABITAT:

Bioplastics are becoming a burgeoning industry as the cost of oil climbs and the disastrous nature of petroleum-based plastics is revealed in full effect. This past Monday Metabolix announced an incredible development: they have found a way to generate "significant amounts" of ecologically-sound bioplastic by growing it in directly in switchgrass. The fast-growing perennial plant is paving the way for a sustainable source of Mirel, the company's biodegradable brand of bioplastic.

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user-deleted-1105
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#1

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/14/2008 10:35 AM

Nice one...

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JohnDG
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#2

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/14/2008 11:10 AM

As an aside...

I heard a bit on BBC R4 (Tuesday, I think, while driving back from Sunny Sellafield), about a company planning to start mining landfill sites in the UK, primarily to extract the plastics (now they're so valuable), and also any other useful stuff (metals etc.).

Anyone know about that? (Google has about 1.37M hits for mining landfill).

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bhankiii
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/14/2008 11:52 AM

Wow - think of all the thermometers and light bulbs that could be made with all that mercury...
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JohnDG
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#5
In reply to #4

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/14/2008 12:04 PM

Yea, and just think what you could do with all that Am241 from junked smoke detectors...

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#3

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/14/2008 11:32 AM

So, if I'm understanding this correctly, we will in just a few short years be able to grow and harvest artificial Christmas trees?

Sweet!
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Sparkstation
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#6

Re: Metabolix Grows Bioplastics in Switchgrass

08/16/2008 1:39 AM

Let's go for these biodegradable plastics.

Over 90% of petroleum-based plastics are use once, throw away articles. How crazy.

Kind Regards....

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