Plastic from…Bacteria

No, this isn’t fringe science.  This is real and is happening now, and it is the business of Genomatica, a chemical company based in San Diego, focusing on the bio manufacturing of sustainable chemicals.  In a process similar to biofuel creation, through the fermentation and manipulation of E. coli bacteria (along with sugar and water), Genomatica has developed a petroleum-free incarnation of butanediol (BDO), a versatile chemical compound common to a range of plastic products.  Noteworthy, is the company’s intent to utilize particular kinds of sugars which do not threaten the scarcity of foodstock-based sugars on world markets.  The company chose to initially focus on BDO due to the dramatically increasing cost and energy-intensive nature of its fossil-fuel based production, and because it is such a ubiquitous product within the world of plastics.

If the company can indeed develop a cost-competitive plastic from their more environmentally friendly approach, they will have proven the viability of potentially large-scale non petroleum-based manufacturing solutions.  According to Genomatica’s own brief on how the company views sustainability, “… government, academia and industry should strive to maximize resource efficiency through activities such as energy and non-renewable resource conservation, risk minimization, pollution prevention, minimization of waste at all stages of a product life-cycle, and the development of products that are durable and can be reused and recycled.”  It’s hard to beat that, so we should all keep our eyes on the work of Genomatica, for we might be seeing some great things emerge from this company in years to come.

Genomatica

Project H Design: Lifestraw Family Water Filters for Mumbai

“Today, more than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water and five million people die each year from water-related diarrheal disease. The need for safe and clean water is especially acute for people living with HIV and AIDs. Chronic diarrhea is a leading cause of death for people with AIDs, and it affects up to 90% of HIV patients. Furthermore, diarrhea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children.”

Project H Design, founded by Emily Pilloton has put together an initiative to provide 100 + families in Mumbai with the “LifeStraw Family” system. The amazing point-of-use water filtration device is designed and manufactured by Vestergaard Frandsen and builds upon the success of “LifeStraw Personal“, a portable water filtration device developed two years ago, designed to be used outside of the home. Like its predecessor, “LifeStraw Family” does not require electricity or batteries, making it ideal for use in difficult environments. It eliminates 99.9% of waterborne disease bacteria, parasites, and viruses, bringing clean drinking water quickly and reliably, and preventing life-threatening disease from spreading through unclean water. This August the Project H team will travel to Mumbai, India to collaborate with local NGOs along with key communities needing this efficient, effective, and simple point-of-use water solution.

To learn more about Project H and their other “product design initiatives for humanity, habitats, health, and happiness,” visit projecthdesign.com. If you’d like to support this initiative, a $25 donation will sponsor one “LifeStraw Family” system.