TOP 10 WEIRDEST BIOPLASTIC PACKAGING SOLUTIONS article found by Xikai Zhao

Innovative bioplastic materials are being introduced every year, as petroleum costs continue to rise and consumers and businesses become more eco-conscious. Bioplastics are sustainable alternatives to oil-based plastics, made with materials that can either partially or fully replace the use of oil with more renewable sources. These materials help reduce the production of virgin plastic and are often fully biodegradable or compostable.

Beverage giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola recently introduced their plant-based bottles made with agricultural waste. Yet there are other new materials being developed with sources that range from interesting to just plain weird. Below, find our list of 10 weird bioplastic packaging solutions.

10. Wood pulp: Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, based in Colorado, packages its potato chips in bags made from wood pulp. The bags are compostable, and the wood pulp is sourced from Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified plantations.

9. Sugar cane: Proctor & Gamble is slowly replacing its traditional plastic Pantene shampoo bottles with plastics made from sugar cane. The bottles look, feel and perform like regular plastic.

8. Veggies: Researchers are currently "training" certain bacteria to transform the main sugars found in garden waste, such as vegetables and fruit, into bioplastic materials. The training process involves adapting the bacteria's eating patterns and training them to convert sugars.

7. Hemp: Plastic products reinforced with the non-psychoactive cannabis plant include smartphones, laptops, lamps, toys, GPS units and household items. Hemp plastic may be used for plastic bags and bottles in the future.

6. Mushrooms: Computer giant Dell is starting to pack computer equipment in packaging made from mushrooms that have been molded to store, ship and protect products. The energy used to make the packaging comes from sugars already present in the agricultural waste.

5. Cashews: A Japanese company is currently developing plastics made from cashew nut shells. The material should be strong and durable enough to package electronic devices and equipment.

4. Milk: A combination of milk protein and ordinary clay are the main sources of a new ultra-light biodegradable foam plastic currently in development. Scientists use the clay to strengthen the casein, the milk protein also used for adhesives and paper coatings.

3. Tequila: The distilling process of tequila produces agave waste called bagasse, a tough plant byproduct that can be used to make bioplastics. With hundreds of tons of bagasse left behind daily, tequila-based plastics become an affordable, sustainable packaging solution.

2. Chicken feathers: The keratin of chicken feathers is the same protein fiber found in fingernails and hair, and it can replace petroleum in some products. The feathers are left behind during poultry processing, and development of feather-based plastics is still underway.

1. Cow bones: A group of scientists is working on creating a bioplastic made from meat and bone meal of cattle. The use of bones helps solve the buildup of cattle carcasses, and the bone material can also be mixed with plastic for a durable alternative to virgin plastic.

Heritage Pioneer provides sustainable packaging materials such as recycled plastic and corrugated cardboard, and remains committed to informing customers about the importance of eco-friendly packaging solutions.