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Phase: Ideas Opportunity Areas: Products to People – Reimagine Delivery Models

Corn starch based bioplastics!

Petroleum based plastic sachet cutback by introduction of bio plastics.

Photo of Sana Khan
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Glass made from bioplastic, similarly this bioplastic can be utilized for sachet manufacturing. Glass made from bioplastic, similarly this bioplastic can be utilized for sachet manufacturing.

Plastic being an artificial component is unable to adapt to our natural environment because of its non-biodegradable characteristic. A simple remedy using our home ingredients (acetic acid, glycerine, corn starch) can help to produce bio plastic. The idea is based on using this simple technique to manufacture starch based bio plastic on large scale. This can prove to aid in replacing the plastic sachets that are contributing to numerous health and environmental hazards.

In Pakistan this can be easily adopted as corn has the 3rd largest production among cereals, this production can be multiplied, the starch extracted and then the bio plastic made.

However for this idea to be executed, collaboration with research institutes will be required to test for the feasibility of corn based bio plastic as sachets. On receiving positive feedback, this packing material will be launched in market and product manufacturers would be required to employ this bio plastic for packaging of materials sold in sachets.

Idea Title

Cornified

Company / Organization Name

Human Development Foundation

Website

http://www.hdf.com/

Where are you / your team located?

National Office: Islamabad Regional Offices: Lahore, Karachi, Mardan, Muzaffarabad, RYK, TMK, Zhob

How does this Idea redesign unrecyclable small format plastic items that often end up as waste?

Being replaced by a bio plastic, the sachets purchased would not end up as waste. When discarded, they will return to earth, as they are made of natural biodegradable material.

Which use cases does your Idea apply to?

The idea is applicable to all manufacturers selling items in plastic sachets.

In what geographical context or area does your Idea plan to operate / solve?

The idea can be implemented across Pakistan, especially the companies whose sachet products are most common among the rural dwellers.

How do you envision scaling up your Idea?

The product initiation would demand the manufacturers to accept this replacement for plastic used to manufacture sachets.

At what stage of development is your Idea?

  • Research & Early Testing: You are exploring an idea, gathering inspiration and information needed to test it with real users.

Please describe how becoming a Top Idea and working with the Think Beyond Plastics Accelerator Program will help to accelerate your solution.

Goal 1 -Testing for feasibility of corn starch bioplastic as sachets Goal 2 -To encourage manufacturers to adopt bioplastic for sachets manufacturing New Plastics Economy Accelerator Program will provide a great opportunity to achieve the above stated goals. It will aid in eliminating plastic sachets which eventually end up as discarded waste, but since it is non-degradable, it will stay in the environment for a long time.

Please describe from where your Idea emerged

A brainstorming session with the members of Sustainable Environment wing of HDF gave rise to this idea. HDF always aims to play an exemplary role to benefit the people and environment.

Tell us about your work experience

HDF five core areas of work are Social Capital Development, Health, Education, Economic Development and Sustainable Environment. HDF has introduced solar water filtration plants along with other works

Please describe your legal and organizational structure

HDF has been registered under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984). Registration number: I-02792, formed on: 10th April 2001

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Team

Sana Khan 

The Ideas Phase of the challenge closes TONIGHT at 11:30 p.m. PT. Your post is currently unpublished, in draft mode. In order to be eligible for evaluation, your post must be published on the platform.

We'd love to have it be included in the challenge. You can publish it by hitting the "Publish" button at the top of your post. You can also update your post by clicking on the "Edit Contribution" on top. Thanks!

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Photo of Camron Hinman
Team

I really like the idea and what a simple process. Why aren't we doing this already? I think more companies need to look at the materials used and the current resources we have around us. If we do that so many of these environmental issues could be solved. Thank you Camron

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