bioplastic

[ bahy-oh-plas-tik ]

noun

1. plastic suitable for use as a biomaterial.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bioplastic¹

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + plastic

Example Sentences

It has potential in the textiles industry as well, with the potential to help scientists collect human DNA on cotton swabs while researchers in China have developed a bioplastic alternative using salmon sperm.

From Salon

A new type of bioplastic could help reduce the plastic industry's environmental footprint.

From Science Daily

Taguchi comments on this achievement, saying "By blending polylactic acid with LAHB, the multiple problems of polylactic acid can be overcome in one fell swoop, and the so modified material is expected to become an environmentally sustainable bioplastic that satisfies the conflicting needs of physical robustness and biodegradability."

From Science Daily

Now that we better understand the environmental impact of polystyrene, the Italian furniture company Zanotta, which has produced the piece from the start and continues to call it the “anatomical easy-chair,” has experimented with a version stuffed with bioplastic derived from sugar cane.

From New York Times

"It turns out, in this case, there are some bioplastic straws that actually degrade fairly quickly, which is good news."

From Science Daily