Biofoam Could Address Plastic Pollution Crisis

The University of British Columbia and First Nations team come together to turn a research idea into reality.

UBC researchers Dr. Feng Jiang and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Yeling Zhu, join Reg Ogen, president and CEO of Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership, and Joe Wong, vice president and the office of the Chief Forester in the Ministry of Forests.

Pollutant-Free Innovation

Jiang, an assistant professor in the UBC faculty of forestry and the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Functional Biomaterials, started developing a “biofoam” many years ago. The goal being to both find new uses for wood waste and reduce pollution from packaging foam.

“Styrofoam waste fills up to 30% of global landfills and can take more than 500 years to break down. Our biofoam breaks down in the soil in a couple of weeks. It also requires little heat, few chemicals to make, and is a direct substitute for packaging foams, packing peanuts, and even thermal insulation boards,” says Jiang.

He adds that the project also helps repurpose wood waste that is often left behind after trees are harvested. “Less than 50% of a harvested tree is used in the wood industries. The rest is left behind in the forest, serving as potential fuel for devastating wildfires.”

Read more about it here, then reach out today to discuss implementing your own innovative recycling program: here, 214-574-4100, or contact@venturemet.com!

Source: Waste & Recycling.