It’s an irony of faith. Usually, when you buy a little tree, the roots and the soil around it are held together by a black plastic bag. The seedlings used for reforestation also come “wrapped” in bags. Now, imagine how much plastic is thrown away after they are planted—the bags are not reused to hold new seedlings to avoid contamination.

With this in mind… Scientists from the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar) together with Corn Products Brasil and BASF have created an “ecologically correct” and rigid plastic that can be used to manufacture tubes for seedlings.

The new material is made with EcobrasTM—a BASF’s biodegradable and compostable plastic that contains a corn-based vegetal polymer—and vegetal fibers such as ground cassava bark and coconut fibers. The material decomposes when in contact with microorganisms present in the soil, generating water, CO2 and biomass.

According to Elias Hage Júnior, professor and coordinator of the project, this partnership between UFSCar and these multinational companies arises from the fact that EcobrasTM is a flexible material and can’t be used to manufacture sufficiently hard molded pieces. He says that the new compost can be used to manufacture any type of molded piece—the cassava bark provides rigidity and the fiber offers mechanical resistance, making the material less likely to rupture—meant to be disposable, such as package trays.

The first step of the project, responsible for adapting the use of the cassava bark and the coconut fiber was complete in the beginning of 2009. From now on, they need to optimize the process and improve the product. Then, it will have to be produced in large scale.

The idea is good. But there is a controversy. Some experts say that biodegradable plastic decomposes quickly because it breaks down into tiny pieces. This could pollute rivers. Others say that because the material “breaks down,” it is easily decomposed and safer for the environment. Oh my, I’m feeling so critical lately.

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is considered to be an example of bad environmental practices. According to researchers, in 300 years, the former inhabitants of the island destroyed six million trees. But… archeologist Chris Stevenson and his team changed the direction of the past. They believe that the local population took their last breath after the arrival of the Europeans, in 1800 AC.

The researcher believes that European diseases caused the death of the islanders. Until now, scientists have claimed that, as was the case with other ancient civilizations—like the Mayans—the Easter islanders died as a result of famine, wars, etc. A consequence of the destruction of the environment.

Stevenson says that, despite the deforestation, islanders had already found sustainable ways to keep living there: by using fertilizers to restore the health of the soil and gardens to protect plants, for instance. They learned that everybody should consume in the same way in order to be able to live in balance. It is possible that even their political relationships changed. After all, no one could afford otherwise.

I saw this news article on Science Daily’s fantastic website—click here to read it in English.

Note: I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Easter Island to see those moai statues with my own eyes—they can be up to ten meters high and weigh tons. To my surprise, I found myself face to face with the big guy in the photo while visiting the British Museum, in London. By the way, read about my encounter with the Rosetta Stone here. It’s better to laugh than to cry.