| Date Submitted : |
April 07, 2009 |
| Topic / Subject : |
Artist Develops Alternative to Plastic |
Message : |
Artist, author (“Origami Bonsai” 11/09 Tuttle Publishing) and now inventor Benjamin John Coleman of Pawtucket, Rhode Island has developed a composite material made from newsprint (newspaper) that can serve as an alternative to plastic in many applications. The material, which he calls “Makigami” is made by tightly rolling paper soaked in a water-based solution. It can be used to make various items such as disposable pens and toothbrushes.
The new material has many advantages over common plastic. Most importantly, it biodegrades quickly, and is less expensive to produce than conventional plastics. Because it is paper it can be disposed of in paper recycling bins. While the material does contain trace amounts of petrochemical (about 1/1000th the amount used in typical plastic parts), it is almost entirely paper, a renewable resource.
Coleman is seeking investors to fund patenting of the composite, marketing, and mass production techniques. He can be contacted through www.OrigamiBonsai.org.
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