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Bioplastic Made from Shrimp Shells Breaks Down Into Compost

Harvard University's Wyss Institute has developed a plastic made from shrimp shells that can be molded into everyday products in any size, shape, and color. It's made from chitosan, a form of chitin - the second-most abundant organic material on Earth. Chitin, a tough polysaccharide, is the main ingredient in the hardy shells of crustaceans, the armor-like cuticles of insects, and the flexible wings of butterflies. Instead of decimating the environment and poisoning our food chain when discarded, it breaks down into compost and nurtures the cycle of life.

Topics:
Green Design & Manufacturing Materials Plastics Recycling Technologies Remediation Technologies

More From SAE Media Group

    Transcript

    00:00:02 In the past century, plastic has transformed modern day life on our planet. But is it sustainable? We produce 300 million tons of plastic per year and recycle like three percent. Are we contend that the other 97 percent collects in oceans, landfills, and the food chain? The challenge is clear, we will drown in plastic if we don't find a sustainable alternative. The Wyss Institute has developed a plastic made from shrimp shells that can be molded into everyday products in any size, shape, and color.

    00:00:51 Instead of decimating the environment and poisoning our food chain when it is discarded, it breaks down to compost, and nurtures the cycle of life.