Besides disposal of electronic waste in a way it should be,the world has struggled to find an alternative for the ever-so-problematic plastic.While it continues to cause incessant harm to the ecosystem, a substitute substance for similar uses has been here since the 1900s, staying undercover!
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While plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose,cellophane breaks down in about 3 months if it is coated in nitrocellulose.If not,then even as little as 10 days!
The idea of the environment-saving “cellophane" was developed by Jacques E. Brandenberger and ever since then, there have been continuous evolutions of the material to make it suitable for household and commercial use.Replacing other bioplastics that used crops actually grown for food,cellophane caused inedible crops that grew in harsh conditions to be put to use.Globally,”hemp” is the source for the cellulose utilised in developing cellophane.
This material is produced from cellulose mostly from hemp and cotton,transformed into viscose and then passed through several baths to remove sulphur and mix softening substances such as glycerin to make it less brittle.
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When compared to bioplastics developed from corn,cellophane proves itself to be more eco-friendly as it decomposes faster and it is more reliable commercially.
Cellophane is sturdier than plastic and is certainly thicker which makes it the most appropriate for packaging at the minimum.It is not permeable to bacteria or grease and when coated with nitrocellulose,it protects the packed object within from water vapour as well.Its moisture-proof surface and versatility provides a vast range of utility.
With its advantageous characteristics, cellophane might soon replace plastic and become the “Bioplastic of the Era!”
