Discussions about plastics and the environment

National Conversation on Public Health

Fri, 02 Apr 10 00:00:00 -0400

GregS writes:

We just received this invitation, and wanted to pass it on to you, our readers:
Dear Eugene and Greg Stevens,
Life without chemicals would be impossible. They have helped us make advances in fields like medicine, energy production, and digital technology. But, as a nation, we can do a better job of protecting people from harmful chemical exposures. Your high commitment to the safe use and management of chemicals as evidenced by your Web Sites, green-plastics.net and greenplastics.com, makes your expertise of particular value.
The National Conversation is hosting the first of three facilitated Web dialogues to begin gathering public input from Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7. Two virtual conversations will be conducted each day, and the public is invited to participate in one or all six. And because the National Conversation is committed to transparency, archives of all conversations will be available online for public review for five years. Our agenda for the first Web dialogue includes:

Monday, April 5: "Understanding the National Conversation" and "Achieving the National Conversation�s Vision"
Tuesday, April 6: "Involving People in Decisions that Affect their Health" and "Improving Research & Information Collection & Management"
Wednesday, April 7: "Preventing Harmful Exposures" and "Responding Effectively to Exposures."

We invite you to participate personally in and blog about this first Web dialogue, and we hope you will invite your readers to do the same. For more information and to register for this event, please visit http://www.webdialogues.net/cs/nationalconversation-vision/view/di/212?x-t=home.view.

Are you interested? Will you register? Leave a comment with your thoughts and questions here.

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More information about the Biopackaging Conference

Tue, 11 Aug 09 00:00:00 -0400

NunoH writes:

Hello.
The following text is about the Biopackaging conference that PhilipH mentioned. It will be in London from the 8th until the 10th of September. It's almost on our doorstep.
As someone with a "soft spot" for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), I cannot stop of mentioning the upcoming conference "Biopackaging: From Feedstock to Waste Stream" (http://www.biopackconference.com/). My perception is that, in spite of gathering the representatives of the whole supply chain of institutions related to bioplastics, as well as investors, researchers and regulator bodies the event is "flying under the radar" and is unknown to most people to whom it may be of interest.
On the 8th, there will be a workshop on the "Principles and Concepts of Biobased and Biodegradable Materials/Plastics". A splendid opportunity for those new to the subject.
I have gone through the list of previous attendees and it seems that all areas are reasonably or heavily even represented, with the exception of investment institutions. But of course, other attendees have plenty of experience with investors and can give you insight and even hindsight on these.
It also seems that most of the attendees are European. This should not detract people from elsewhere in the world, as many of the institutions present have an international presence and supplier base, inherent to the area of bioplastics. So, even if you are in Africa, you might, in fact end up meeting your future customer.
Another point is that traditionally the European Union spearheads the regulation for new products (materials, services, etc.), which means that in the future countries in Africa, Asia or elsewhere may come to adopting European Union standards, especially if their products will be used in the European Union.
Well, the event is particularly a great opportunity for entrepreneurs or SME, because they can listen and talk to all of the relevant people who can help them start or expand their business!
Instead of hiring a consultancy company in the dark and/or let them take you through the very basics, just stop by the event and network.
Download The Agenda (PDF).

Green Plastics has looked over the brochure for this event, and it looks fantastic. We plan to be there. Comment here if you have any questions about the event!

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Who will be going to Biopack Conference?

Tue, 04 Aug 09 00:00:00 -0400

PhilipH writes:

Will anyone here be going to the Biopackaging from Feedstock to Waste Stream 2009 conference in London, in September?

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Call for position articles

Fri, 31 Jul 09 00:00:00 -0400

DrStevens writes:

There have been a lot of articles on this site that have been very pro-PLA, pro-biomass-based plastics, and anti oxo-degradable plastics.
Do you have another point of view? Would you like to put your position online?
Submit an article (either through the website, or if you feel more comfortable, by emailing to webmaster@green-plastics.net) and it will appear here. We want everyone to see both sides of the debate.

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Biodegradable Plastic Survey

Sun, 26 Jul 09 00:00:00 -0400

MaxClark writes:

I'm conducting a short survey to determine what consumers know about biodegradable plastic bottles. It only take a moment and doesn't ask for personal information. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=fktlqEFDW1aNgZgWodfrRA_3d_3d Thanks, Max

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What am I doing wrong about "doing bioplastic at home"?

Mon, 18 May 09 00:00:00 -0400

Alexandra writes:

I have recently tried to make a bioplastic at home with cornstarch, water, glycerin and vinegar, but the misture always remains like gel. It doesn't became rigid. What must I do? Can you explain me how to make it righ? Thanks

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Plastic Video, what am I doing wrong?

Wed, 11 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0400

Dayana writes:

I have a question... I don't know what Im doing wrong... I put everything as you said in the video but I seems like it is not working...I did it and I is like a kind ok gel but IT NEVER CHANGES TO PLASTIC ... can you send me the way to do it step by step please???

What type of "starch" do I have to use???

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Non-Food Bioplastic?

Wed, 11 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0400

GregS writes:

Sutch74 posted this question as a comment to our YouTube Make Your Own Bioplastic video:
Thank you for posting. Does anyone know of any non-food plant from which the suitable starch or cellulose could be derived to produce bioplastics? I have heard of hemp being used for more durable applicaitions.

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Inventor's Query

Wed, 11 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0400

GregS writes:

I recently received the following email from a small business owner:
Hello,

I am looking for a manufacturing or engineering company to produce a proto type of a new product of my own creation made entirely out of plastics and would like it to be "green".

Where can you recommend I seek company's or engineers do such things for said inventors and entrepreneurs?
I'm not sure what to recommend to her... can anyone here help?

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biodegradable polymer

Thu, 05 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0500

khalid writes:

i am a student of B.E polymer final year.My project is "Developing a formula for Biodegradable starch based ldpe film" plz help me in this regards

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