• A Mexican researcher has discovered a way to turn cactus leaves into a material with similar properties to plastic. It’s not toxic and is biodegradable.
Key highlights
• Mexico’s prickly pear cactus, which is emblazoned on the country’s flag, could soon play a new and innovative role in the production of biodegradable plastics.
• A packaging material made from this plant has been developed by a Mexican researcher and is offering a promising alterative to plastics.
• The pulp of the prickly pear is mixed with non-toxic additives to produce sheets that can be used for packaging.
• The cactus used for her experiments come from San Esteban, a small town located in Jalisco state of Mexico, where single-use non-recyclable plastic bags, straws and other disposable items will be banned from next year.
• Pascoe is still conducting tests, but hopes to patent her product later this year and look for partners in early 2020, with an eye towards large scale production.
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