Making something useful out of a waste material is nearly always a wonderful thing to do, but you might just draw the line at making bioplastic from human waste.
A small company from California thinks it’s a good idea, though, and has already developed technology through which a microbe digests human waste to create a polymer that forms the basis of a bioplastic.
To ‘satisfy the squeamish’, the makers, Micromidas, assert that the material will not be used in conjunction with food products. Whether or not that will indeed satisfy the squeamish remains to be seen, but at the very least, they can take heart from the fact that it neither looks nor smells like human poo, apparently.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.