Home furnishings could be replaced with a new wood-based degradable plastic that can be broken down without any harmful effects on the environment.
Researchers in Sweden say this new material would replace traditional home furnishings such as cabinets, countertops, doors, and even wallboards. Unlike current home products — this new degradable wood-based plastic can be created and broken down with no harmful effects on the environment.
Current home items are made using fossil-based materials and not only cause damage to the environment during manufacturing but when broken down, too.
So, this blog post will explain more about this new material — how it works, why it’s useful, and more.
How does it work?
The wood-based degradable plastic contains a high fiber content — which creates unrivaled strength. And while a high fiber content is used for many other products, it often causes poor dispersion and high fiber damage.
But using polymer chemistry with process technology, Swedish researchers have found a way to achieve higher fiber content without the other detrimental side effects seen in other household furnishings.
And what’s more — everything is cheap, using raw materials. Wood fibers can be reused to enable the reformation of the material. It might actually save more trees.
Why do we need wood-based degradable plastic?
Currently, wood-based materials used for typical home furnishings — kitchen counters, countertops, doors, floorboards, and other items, are made using fossil-based materials.
These materials are made using petrochemicals — containing many negative environmental impacts. In fact, the use of petrochemicals has even been linked to several diseases (including cancer).
If a new manufacturing process were to replace traditional methods, this would reduce the harmful gasses and toxins released into the environment. This would reduce pollution, not only having an effect on the immediate area and the people who live there, but reducing the effect of climate change.
If these new sustainable materials were implemented on a large scale, the effects would be astronomical.
And that’s only half of the story…
Not only do these fossil-based materials produce numerous harmful environmental effects, but they are not degradable.
That means they take years to biodegrade and cause further harm to the environment while they do so.
Ideally, in the near future more products will become environmentally-friendly, from the bottle you drink out of to the furniture in your home.
Recycled, renewable materials are the future
Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials to replace fossil fuels and other biodegradable products.
The more options available, the better. For example, by providing households the option of renewable cabinets, they can safely replace their kitchen when needed by choosing a more sustainable option.
Not only can they purchase beautiful and robust kitchen cabinets when they need them, but their purchase contributes to a more sustainable future.
It’s vital to provide an abundance of options for your average household — if the benefits of traditional wood or other fossil-based products appear greater, then households are likely to choose this option instead.
It’s all about creating a better alternative to what’s already out there but with no harmful effects on the environment during manufacturing or when recycled later down the line.
To summarize
This new wood-based degradable plastic discovered by Swedish research is great news.
And although further research is needed, if more researchers get on board, we could have a whole host of new options for sustainable and eco-friendly household products.
The more options we have, the better. It will encourage change, but equally — these new cabinets, doors, and other household products need to be just as strong, durable, and look as good, if not better than other options.
FAQs
What makes wood biodegradable?
Wood is naturally grown — anything that is grown naturally is typically biodegradable. For example, wood decomposes and often begins to rot when left open or unused.
Is wood plastic biodegradable?
The new type of wood-based plastic is not biodegradable — this means it can be safely broken down with no harmful side effects on the environment.
Is wood-based degradable plastic durable?
Yes! Researchers have found a way to maintain a high fiber count without sacrificing on quality or manufacturing. This means it’s not only degradable but strong, lasting for many years to come.