From January to March 2005 BBC World will profile examples of the kind of project we are looking for in the Hands On
short form programmes. These examples will also be profiled in Newsweek in a special advertising feature.

Click an image below to view project.

5. NON-PLASTIC FANTASTIC:
Growing Plastic From Corn In Italy

Plastic: it is polluting to produce, drains our natural resources and doesn't break down naturally. Is it a necessary evil we can't live without? In Umbria, Italy, a company called Novamont is proving otherwise.

It has created Mater-Bi, a plastic-like product made from corn. Scientists at Novamont have perfected a technique that turns polymers from corn starch 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 is easily broken down by microorganisms.

At Novamont, they have created a wide range of Mater-Bi products, including diapers, pet toys and packaging. Right now, bioplastics like Mater-Bi are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts, but in certain applications such as waste disposal, their superiority is undeniable. Mater-Bi plastic bags filled with organic waste are 20 percent lighter, a significant saving 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 like Mater-Bi will be part of our daily lives in the decades to come.