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Plasticor: Smarting Food Packages
Summary
Researchers developed Plasticor, a biodegradable smart food packaging concept designed to monitor food freshness and reduce both food waste and plastic pollution. Replacing conventional non-degradable plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives could reduce the plastic that breaks down into environmental microplastics.
Food waste that occurs at different stages from food production to transportation and in homes is an economic, social and environmental problem. These food scraps are largely responsible for the generation of greenhouse gases (GHG). In addition, many of these foods are sold in non-biodegradable plastic packaging that results in the accumulation of plastic in the environment, directly and/or indirectly affecting the lives of animals and humans. In order to bring about a possibility of reducing food waste and the accumulation of long-lasting plastics in nature, Plasticor was developed, a biodegradable and sustainable polymer used in the packaging of foods that use biosensors to test the viability for human consumption of food. A smart packaging that involves food and has its color changed when the product is no longer fit for consumption, indicating the presence of harmful microorganisms. Thus, avoiding the early disposal of food in good condition and consequently its impact on the environment, in addition to postponing the consumption of new products, Plasticor contributes to a more sustainable world.
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