Latest update: 20/11/2012 

- Brazil - environment - France - Kenya - Recycling


Bioplastics to the rescue?

If we lined up one year's supply of plastic bags it would circle the globe 63 times. Today, recycled and biodegradable alternatives are at the centre of efforts to reduce the impact on the environment. This week we investigate the future of the plastic industry.

Today, France only recycles around a quarter of its plastic waste, almost all of it bottles. This year, however, a multi-million euro experiment was launched to include other types of plastics such as pots and containers. The goal is to breathe a second life into more of our plastic waste.

Next, we look at the future of plastic made from plants such as corn or potatoes. These bioplastics currently only make up one per cent of market share, but Brazil is one of many countries hoping to see the industry enter the mainstream. 

Finally, we head to Kenya, where a biodegradable plastic bag known as the "Peepoo" is providing a safer option for people living in slums without regular access to toilets.


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