Environment-friendly plastic developed by DU professors

After two years of extensive research, three professors Dr Sushmita De Sadhu, Professor of Polymer Science of the College, Dr Shivani Vermani, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Prof Dr Meenakshi Garg, Professor of Food Technology have come up with a product, which will come in the market within a year. Meanwhile, the professors claimed that it will reduce the pollution of 70 per cent of the food packaged plastic in the land fill sites. Water pollution will also decrease by 60 to 70 per cent. Dr Shivani Vermani, professor of biomedical science at BCAS, said that plastic waste is generated from a lot of food packets. We have developed a similar material, which will dissolve in water within two days. Inside the soil, it will dissolve in one month.

Another professor, Dr Meenakshi Garg said that we have prepared a biodegradable plastic for food packaging from potato starch. Potato starch is potato flour, which is prepared by crushing potatoes. We initially took seven months to prepare the biodegradable plastic. Now it is prepared in 2 to 4 days. Along with it, we have also created a number of nutritional bars, which is like chocolate.

Packaged food is spreading plastic in the environment and is also increasing air pollution. The packaged food plastic in landfill sites and litter is close to 50 to 60 per cent. At the same time, it is increasing pollution by up to 70 per cent in landfill sites. This plastic does not end by itself, said the professor. The professor also added that the packaged food plastic increased the pollution by 60-70 per cent, which blocks the drainage and later damages organism in rivers and ponds.

Now days, the consumption of plastic packaged food in the country is 11 kg per person in a year. In Delhi, the figure is 20 million and 90 million kg. The professor said that 43% of the total plastic generated in the country is used in packaging. If the biodegradable film is adopted in the packaged food industry, it will help reduce water and air pollution by up to 70%. It's completely safe.