Not your usual flimsy paper straw
On my morning beach walks with our dogs, I carry an old backpack to collect litter, most of which is various types of plastic, especially single use drink bottles (although rarely plastic straws!) As noted in this article last week in the magazine Anthropocene “Close to 2 million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans every year from beaches and waterways”. The result is huge plastic garbage patches in the middle of most oceans.
But, that may change with a new discovery by Japanese scientists of TPB (Transparent Paper Board). TPB is made from pristine cellulose (think paper), can be molded into various forms, can hold boiling hot water, and is fully recyclable in a closed system. But even more critically important is that it is biodegradable in seawater at all depths tested. This material holds the promise of the functionality of single use plastics with the recyclability & biodegradability of paper. What’s not to like about TPB – unless you’re a fossil-fuel company selling oil or natural gas and unconcerned about plastic pollution.
So, keep an eye out for more stories about TPB. And on your hikes, take a back pack or bag to pick up the trash. Please let me know your thoughts and what you’ve seen about solutions to single use plastic pollution.
Cheers, Bill
