Plastic debris from bottles and other packaging isn’t the only source of pollution we face when it comes to maintaining our oceans healthy and free from plastics. The threat from plastic fibers in our clothing is just as detrimental to our oceans. Biodegradable plastics are already being used in the market for bottle manufacturing and other packaging needs. But the challenge to develop a biodegradable plastic fiber that is durable enough to use in manufacturing clothing has evaded scientist. In a Seeker article by Molly Fosco , Yiqi Yang a biological systems engineering professor from the University of Nebraska believes that he may have found to the solution. Prof. Yang has redeveloped the manufacturing process to make a more durable biodegrable fiber and has teamed up with Cargil to manufacture and develop this fiber. The collaboration effort though Natureworks will help to drastically reduce the amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste that is being dumped in our oceans and in turn affecting our food chain.

Octavio Franco

#oaf2118 / Fall 2017 – Week 3

Reply to Brian Balzar:

Hi Brian-

I have been interested in hydorponics for some time also since I first read about Dr. Marting Schreibman’s (http://www.insideurbangreen.org/2012/01/meet-martin-schreibman-dr-of-aquaponics-at-brooklyn-college-.html) work at CUNY’s Brooklyn College. His work merges both aquaculture and hydroponics for a more sustainable process. The advancement in these technologies are vital to the food, water and energy nexus for the progression towards a sustainable process across all industries. If you ever get a chance I would enjoy talking to you about your experience in the field. Thanks.

Octavio Franco
#oaf2118 / Fall 2017 – Week 3