Battle of the Bioplastics
CWSF · 2026 Environment & Climate Change Bronze Medal
Overview
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems we face today, yet only 9% of plastic ever gets recycled (OECD, 2022). Plastics serve countless purposes — from food packaging to medical materials — making it critical that any sustainable alternative can meet these diverse demands (Navasingh et al., 2023). Starch-based bioplastics have emerged as a promising candidate, but how different starch sources compare in key functional properties remains poorly understood (Cruz et al., 2022). This project compared four starch-based bioplastics — corn, tapioca, potato, and rice — tested for tensile strength, water resistance, and biodegradability. Results revealed striking differences across all three properties, suggesting that different starches could be strategically selected for specific applications, bringing us closer to practical, natural alternatives to conventional plastic.
Awards (2)
- Bronze Medal
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
Related projects
CWSF · 2026
Plant Power: Creating Bioplastic from Starch
ISEF · 2019
Development of Biodegradable Potato Starch Based Biopolymers
ISEF · 2021
Testing the Safety and Viability of a Cross-linked Starch-Based Bioplastic in Food Packaging and Food Industry Applications
CWSF · 2026
Bio-Plastics
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