Tableware made from biodegradable biomass plastic will be used at the 2005 World Exposition, which starts on 25 March, 2005 in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. The tableware (plates, glasses and cutlery) will be composed of polylactic acid and esterified starch, which are derived from starch extracted from corn and other plants.

The Japan Bioindustry Association has received a contract from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for a project to develop practical applications of bioprocesses. The association will utilize biomass plastic products for tableware and garbage bags in food courts and theme restaurants at the exposition, as part of a demonstration of the processes of recycling and material circulation. The aims of this project are to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

One-way (disposable) tableware will be used in food courts and returnable (reusable) tableware will be used in theme restaurants. One-way tableware will be collected with food waste and be composted at biorecycling facilities. Returnable tableware will be reused repeatedly and collected separately if broken after extended use. It will then be recycled as a resin to make products such as seedling pots. Ultimately, they this material decompose in soil, into water and carbon dioxide.

http://www.jba.or.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2005/03/31 10:33:38 AM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Food/Water , Government , Manufacturing industry , Material reduction , Other , University/Research institute