Good plastic

india could soon produce bio-degradable plastic for mass consumption. Following a two-year research, scientists from various government institutes have been able to develop the plastic. This plastic can be converted into non-polluting substance within 90 days. The National Research Development Corporation (nrdc), New Delhi, has planned to manufacture the product. The Corporation has also filed for patent of this technology.

The plastic found throughout the world largely consists of 100 per cent low density polyethylene (ldpe) that renders it nearly impossible to destroy. In such circumstances, the waste ldpe takes over 50 years to become disposable. During this period, it causes irreparable damage to the soil and the ecology.

The development of the biodegradable polymer technology has been the joint effort of the Tuber Crops Research Institute of Kerala, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, ipcl Vadodara, and the nrdc. On its own, bio-degradable plastics are converted into non-polluting substances.