In an effort to decrease the environmental cost of single-use plastics, scientists, engineers, and designers are increasingly turning to nature to look for sustainable alternatives. Such ecologically friendly alternatives include liquid wood, algae insulation, and polymer substitutes made from fermented plant starch like in corn or potatoes. These green substitutes to plastic do more than stem the growing tide of plastics: they also address issues such as safely housing a growing population, offsetting carbon emissions, and returning nutrients to the earth.
Researchers are increasingly using nature to turn the tide on plastic
More of Today's Solutions
Brazil fines meat producers $64 million over ties to deforested Amazon land
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a major environmental crackdown, Brazil's IBAMA fined meat packers and cattle ranchers $64 million for rearing or ...
Read MoreHow to spot a moon ring: a guide to lunar halos and other moonlight phenomena
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The ring around the moon, also known as the lunar halo, is a breathtaking yet surprisingly common sight ...
Read MoreThe surprising reason you should turn your camera off during Zoom calls
To all of you who have been keeping their cameras off during Zoom calls, well done. You may have simply been trying to hide ...
Read MoreHummingbirds have the widest color range of all birds
Among the different species of birds, hummingbirds are among the most iconic and distinct in the skies. These unique creatures hover unlike most birds, ...
Read More
