TEXTO:
Growing plastic from corn in Italy
Plastic: it is polluting to produce, drains our natural
resources and doesn’t break down naturally. But in
Umbria, Italy, a company called Novamont has created
Mater-Bi, a plastic-like product made from corn.
[5] Scientists have perfected a technique that turns
polymers from cornstarch into a substance that can be
processed just like conventional plastics. But the best
thing about Mater-Bi is that it is biodegradable. When
mixed with water, the product dissolves in minutes and
[10] is easily broken down by microorganisms. Right now,
bioplastics like Mater-Bi are more expensive than their
synthetic counterparts, but in certain applications their
superiority is undeniable. Mater-Bi plastic bags filled
with organic waste are 20 percent lighter, a significant
[15] savings for cities charged by weight for their trash
disposal.
What’s more, the bags and their contents break
down naturally into useable compost. The technology is
still new, but it seems likely that products made from
[20] Mater-Bi will be part of our daily lives in the decades to
come.
GROWING plastic from corn in Italy. Newsweek, [New York], p. 7, 14 Feb. s.d.
In the text, “the best” (l. 7), “easily” (l. 10) and “more expensive” (l. 11) are, respectively, examples of
