Large commercial composters would have constant ideal temperatures and conditions in which you would have your liquid solution, your microbes and plastic bags. At 37 degrees Celsius plastic bags degrade by 43 % in six weeks. ~ Daniel Burd
It's the dream of all science teachers to engage students to such an extent that they truly get excited about an hypothesis. Daniel's theory revolves around his concern about plastic bags lasting up to 1,000 years in landfill sites, or floating in the seas causing serious harm to the fish in the ecosystem. Up to 500 billion plastic bags are used world wide each year, many for just a few minutes, before being thrown away.
His hypothesis is that if plastic bags do eventually break down, it should be possible to isolate and concentrate the micro organisms responsible for the decomposition, thus speeding up the process. Daniel managed to isolate several key bacteria - sphingomonas and pseudomonas and created a solution to test the deterioration of plastic. His findings were dramatic and invites more experimentation.
The Grade 11 student won $10,000 for first place in the Canada Wide Science Fair. No doubt his Grade 12 year will result in more progress in researching his hypothesis and creating great excitement among his peers and staff at Waterloo Collegiate Institute.
After seeing several documentaries about unregulated landfills in developing countries, it is sad to see the scourge that plastic bags can create for land use and for the poverty stricken who live beside them.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Scientific Break Through: Decomposition of Plastic
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3 comments:
As you are most likely aware, President's Choice, Zehrs has there new line of "Green Bags" and "green bins" .99 cents per bag or 4.99 per bin.
I made myself a promise that if I forgot the bags or bins, I would buy new ones each time I got groceries. I eventually ended up with 20 bags. Now I'm pretty good at remembering.
Now I use them exclusively and they are fantastic. The bags are way more powerful than plastic bags, they carry more, and you feel good about not using 9 plastic bags.
I think I'm going to suggest to our local grocers how great it would be for them to become a plastic bag-free store! Lead the charge as a local "green" store. While some people are always cheap and will put up a fuss having to buy their grocery bags, others are out there who will reward these types of actions by shopping there more.
I asked an employee how many were using the bags and she said "more and more each day, but not enough." She told me a store in Hamilton had taken the initiative to become paper/plastic free.
Regardless, these bags are just something small and easy the average citizen can do with large implications!
Plastic Bags are a mess. NO need to visit developing countries. Visit the shorelines of our great lakes and you'll find them everywhere.
I read about Daniel recently and these are the types of innovators that we need, desperately.
What a great story. I hope though that it doesn't reverse the trend of stores ceasing to use plastic bags. In my area more and more stores are getting rid of plastic and encouraging customers to use cloth bags. But if we can get rid of all the horrible plastic bags already in the landfills, that's a good thing!
Noah,
What a great idea. Bring your own recyclable bags to the grocery store or buy more. Eventually you will always remember to bring them. I bought two today and am committed to follow your example. No more plastic bags! Also having totes in the car is a great idea.
Stephanie,
The beauty of international blogs is reading stories that may not appear in your country. Happy July 4 weekend.
Thanks both for posting.
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