Mexico’s prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cacti), which could soon play a new and innovative role in the production of biodegradable plastics. A packaging material that is made from the plant has been developed by a Mexican researcher and is offering a promising solution to one of the world’s biggest pollution conundrums.
The pulp is strained to obtain a juice that then can be used, mixed with non-toxic additives and stretched to produce sheets which are coloured with pigments and folded to form different types of packaging, that don’t have a long life.
Single use non-recyclable plastic bags straws and other disposable items will be banned. This new material would be no more than a “drop in the ocean” in the battle to preserve the environment. Given the rampant production of industrial plastics and the time it takes to make this material, there would need to be “other recycling strategies” to make any concrete difference.
Matter referenced:
Sandra Pascoe, Atemajac Valley university, Western city of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Times of India, Ahmedabad, Wednesday, 14th August, 2019.
By: Dr. Bhawana Asnani.
Happy to see Reviews, Additions, Suggestions and Comments, further.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.