In my investigation I have developed a thermoplastic degradable material containing plant nutrients. Plant roots actively destroy the plastic to extract the nutrients, serving to help the plastic degrade more quickly, while at the same time benefiting the plant, the soil and the environment.

To enable the breakdown of biodegradable plastics micro-organisms are required to enable the decaying process. Plant roots create a healthy environment in the soil to enable the absorption of the necessary nutrients. Biodegradable plastics without the addition of plant nutrients do not break down in soil where plants are growing. But when plastics with added plant nutrient is buried in soil where plants are growing, the roots detect nutrients in the soil and send out a substance called exudate. This stimulates microbe growth, and the microbes attack and break down the nutrient – in this case my plastic – so that it can be absorbed by the roots. Adding plant nutrients to biodegradable plastic during the manufacturing process facilitates simultaneously both the degradation process of the plastic and the fertilisation of the plants.

Bibiana Nelson
07979 420613
bibi@bibinelson.co.uk
www.bibinelson.co.uk