Scientists make new algae-based plastic that’s nature safe
Listen to the story (Hong Kong accent)
Scientists have made a new type of plastic. The new plastic doesn’t leave behind small pieces called microplastics. Microplastics are bad for the Earth and can stay for more than 1,000 years.
The scientists made a new “bio-based” plastic from algae. Normal plastic is made from oil and doesn’t break down easily. But this new plastic can break down in nature.
The scientists found a bacteria in compost that can use the new plastic to live. The bacteria think the new plastic is like leaves or wood.
The new plastic can fully break down in less than seven months. After 200 days in compost, the size of bio-based plastic decreased 97%.
The process of making the new plastic with algae is completely renewable. However, it is expensive.
Getting oil from the ground is easy and cheap. But, there are not many algae farms now, so we have to make new farms.
The process to make this new plastic can also be used with other plants. The scientists want to use the new plastic for food packaging in the future.
Vocabulary22 words
- Scientist
- a person who studies science or the natural world; researcher; ?????
- Type
- kind; a category or classification of something
- Leave behind
- To not take something with you when you leave; to cause something to remain/stay;
- Piece
- A small part of something bigger
- Microplastic
- Very tiny pieces of plastic;
- Earth
- the planet/world we live on ?
- Bio
- Short for “biological,” which means related to living things;
- Bio-based
- Made from things that are alive or were once alive
- Algae
- A type of plant that grows in water and can make its own food from sunlight;
- Oil
- A thick black or brown liquid found underground used for fuel/energy and making things like plastic
- Break down
- To fall apart or decompose; To turn into smaller and smaller pieces until nothing is left
- Nature
- The living world around us; The natural world, including plants, animals, and the environment
- Bacteria
- Tiny living things, too small to see; microscopic living organisms that have only one cell
- Compost
- a mix of old food and old, natural waste that can be used like dirt or fertilizer; Decayed organic material used as plant fertilizer
- Leaf (leaves)
- ? ?
- Decrease
- to go down; to become less; become smaller
- Process
- a procedure; a series of actions that you do to achieve a result/finish something; operation;
- Renewable
- Can be continued or extended for a longer period; replacing itself by natural processes;
- Ground
- floor; earth; solid surface; dirt
- Farm
- A place where plants or animals are grown;
- Plant
- ?; a living thing that grows in the ground, like a tree or a flower
- Packaging
- materials used to wrap and protect products for sale and transport; the box or plastic container that a product is in
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Scientists have _____ a new type of plastic. The new plastic doesn’t leave _____ small pieces called microplastics. Microplastics are bad for the _____ and can stay for more than 1,000 years.
The _____ made a new “bio-based” plastic from algae. Normal plastic is made from _____ and doesn’t break down easily. But this new plastic can break down in _____.
The scientists found a _____ in compost that can use the new plastic to live. The bacteria _____ the new plastic is like leaves or _____.
The new plastic can fully break down in _____ than seven months. After 200 days in compost, the size of bio-based plastic decreased _____%.
The process of _____ the new plastic with algae is completely renewable. However, it is _____.
Getting oil from the ground is _____ and cheap. But, there are not many algae farms now, so we _____ to make new farms.
The _____ to make this new plastic can also be used with other plants. The scientists want to use the new plastic for _____ packaging in the future.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think it’s important for scientists to make a new type of plastic?
- What do you think about using algae to make plastic?
- What are some benefits of using a bio-based plastic compared to traditional plastic?
- Do you think people would be OK with paying more for products made with bio-based plastic? Why or why not?
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