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Subject: New Biodegradable Plastics Could Be Tossed into the Sea Author: larry [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 18:44:27 03/30/07 Fri go a head just toss it. :) every thing will be ok. CHICAGO—A biodegradable plastic that dissolves into nontoxic components in seawater could make it environmentally safe to ditch "disposable" forks, spoons, wraps and other such waste overboard from ships to free up valuable space. "There are many groups working on biodegradable plastics, but we're one of a few working on plastics that degrade in seawater," said researcher Robson Storey, a polymer scientist at University of Southern Mississippi. "We're moving toward making plastics more sustainable, especially those that are used at sea." Cruise liners, naval warships and other vessels generate huge volumes of plastic trash, such as stretch wrap for large cargo items, food containers and eating utensils. This junk often remains onboard for long spans of time until ships make port. Simply dumping such junk overboard is hazardous because conventional plastics can take years to break down and may result in toxic byproducts. When exposed to seawater, the new plastics can dissolve in as few as 20 days. They are made of polyurethane modified to incorporate a biodegradable compound known as PLGA, which is used in medical sutures. http://www.livescience.com/technology/070327_seawater_plastic.html [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]