Turning paper into biodegradable plastic

Researchers in Japan have developed a cheap coating for paper that behaves like plastic, but is far less harmful to the environment


BIODEGRADABLE COATING
“Choetsu”: Easily applied to paper, making it rigid, waterproof and bacteria-repellent – without creating plastic pollution

Silica-resin layer: Solution of methyltrimethoxysilane, isopropyl alcohol, and tetramethoxysilane

Paper

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles


EXAMPLE USES

Paper cutlery
Food packaging
Drinking straws


Plastic drinking straws: World’s beaches estimated to be polluted with 8.3 billion plastic straws. Now banned in many countries

Traditional paper straws lack rigidity and soon become soggy

When submerged in water, coated origami crane keeps its shape while uncoated one soon becomes saturated and starts to disintegrate


Sources: Vice, National Geographic 
Pictures: EVG Kowalievska (Pexels), Hiroi et al 
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