Beyond Plastic
The Beyond Plastic division is responsible for incorporating and conducting research on biodegradable material into PPM through practical experimentation and lab work. This includes trialing alternate solutions to the plastic and food waste crisis through material testing, process and product development.
Orange Peel Bowl
The goal of this project is to turn orange peel waste into a bowl that can hold food.
The orange peels are given to PPM from the Monash Merchant, as they would otherwise be thrown away and we are always interested in turning food waste into something new.
The project was undertaken by our new recruits to teach them valuable technical skills as well as giving them experience in team-working and creative thinking. Several variations of orange peel and glycerine were tested before a final combination was decided upon.
Edible spoons
Mycelium
This project aims to make a ‘shaped/moulded product’ with grown mushrooms and biomass waste through heating/baking. It seeks to reduce waste and find eco-friendly (biodegradable) alternatives to construction materials
Yucca Valorisation
Plant fibres are increasingly used in fabricating polymer composite components useful in the automotive, construction, and aerospace industries.
The project aims to use yucca fibre-reinforced composites to tensile test and potentially create new everyday products.
Rice Straws
As the world increasingly turns its attention to sustainable alternatives to plastic, rice straws have emerged as an innovative and eco-friendly solution to the growing plastic pollution crisis. Made from rice and tapioca, these biodegradable straws offer a functional, compostable alternative to traditional plastic straws while minimizing environmental impact.
