Pakistani scientist generates bio-plastic with mango kernel

ISLAMABAD: Dr Anjum Nawab, a Pakistani scientist serving as Assistant Professor at Karachi University, on Monday claimed to have generated bio-plastic with mango kernel, which is easily dissoluble and has no threat to the environment, aquatic life and plants.

Talking to a private news channel, she said, “Pakistan is known for its ample production of mangoes so I choose mangoes’ waste to form a bio-plastic bag in my PhD studies.”

With further advancement, the plastic could be used to make shopping bags, she stated, adding that the bio-plastic could be melted in the ground, just like the waste of fruits, and could be liquefied under hot water.

Similarly, she said she was working to produce plastic with the waste of other fruits. Use of bio-plastic in the manufacturing of plastic would also reduce the production cost for factory owners, she added.

“The entire process, from generating plastic with mangoes’ stones to the manufacturing of bags, would be environment-friendly and there would be no environmental hazards,” she stated. “Pakistan has plenty of skilled workers who need to be channelized properly rather being disgraced on social media for such experiments.”

Pakistan is gradually imposing a ban on the use of polythene bags that have been played havoc with the country’s environment.