HowStuffWorks Show: Episode 1: Corn Plastic

Global warming is a hoax; however bio plastics is possible. The problem with corn is that it is not strong enough which it still has to be mixed with a little petroleum for strength still. Just not as much. There are laptops in Japan that are made with corn and petroleum based to make its plastic shell. So we still cannot go completely with just corn based. Besides once we go 100% corn then no more corn for us to consume? Oh yeah thats right high fructose corn syrup by product which is worse.

This is cool biodegradable/edible plastic is an awesome innovation. Goo scientists, makes life easier and feeling less guilty.

Corn isn't carbon neutral. If we use corn for plastic, we'll need to use more land, and when land it changed for farming, it releases carbon. It's better than oil, but it's not carbon neutral

Exactly, the chemical process isn't exactly ideal and "edible" part is really naive.

Whats wrong with reducing packaging to the maximum and reusing packaging?

Why innovate to sustain wasteful habits?

"Why innovate to sustain wasteful habits? " very true I agree lololo..

"when land is changed for farming, it releases carbon">> HOW?

Plants that were once there can't absorb the carbon they once did and the carbon they absorbed is re-released into the atmosphere. I'm not sure on the specifics, but I read an article about it in Scientific American.

I don't understand but thanks i will research on this..

So are you basically saying that the absence of plants= buildup of carbon?

I think it releases carbon, too, but I haven't read up on it lately.