Two researchers at UNSW
Sydney are looking into a way to turn banana plantation waste into packaging material that is both biodegradable and recyclable. Associate Professor Jayashree Arcot, UNSW School of Chemical Engineering and Professor Martina Stenzel, UNSW School of Chemistry were looking for ways to convert agricultural waste into something that could add value to the industry it was a by-product of, while potentially solving problems for another.
According to Associate Professor Arcot, the banana industry produces large amounts of organic waste, with only 12 per cent of the plant being used (the fruit) while the rest is discarded after harvest.