Engineering360: "Startup turning lobster shells into plastic alternative"

Wouldn't it be easier to just stop dumping trash in the ocean?

According to theworldcounts.com over 5 trillion plastic bags are produced annually. The development of this technique is interesting and it is important that this type of research continues. 7.5 million is a good start. However, it will not have any meaningful impact unless production capacity can be increased significantly.

The comment "wouldn't it be easier to just not dump into the ocean?" is something I have heard far too often.

Yes, you and your whole nation can promise to never dump plastics into the ocean and your nation will almost certainly keep that promise. But, no amount of good will on the part of the UK can possibly prevent cost conscious or thoughtless managers in other nations from duping plastics into the ocean.

The laudable exploitation of part of a waste stream to make a truly biodegradable plastic is a good first step in that it actually solves several problems. It frees up space in landfills and also helps prevent the poisonous and destructive effects of waste plastics.

I see several stumbling blocks however. First, is there enough feed stock to make production practical? Next, can this plastic be made economically and lastly, is there an established supply chain to allow wide distribution to other nations as well as to the UK.

Good idea but needs some thought.

Dan