Source: Tehran Municipality

Researchers at Polymer and Petrochemical Research Institute of Iran have produced natural polymers from starch and fat and according to an agreement with Shahrvand department stores, bags made of such material will be used in place of plastic bags at Shahrvand sores.

Abdolrasoul Urumiye'ei, director of plastic department of Polymer and Petrochemical Research Institute of Iran, noted that natural plastic bags are produced through biotechnological and nano-technological processes from natural and synthetic materials which are a combination of oil derivatives and natural substances like sugars, fats, and vitamins.

"They are as strong as plastic bags used to carry goods at stores. After being buried underground, such bags will be decomposed after two months because starch is one of their components which is easily decomposed when exposed to air and sunlight, thus, catalyzing decomposition of polymer substances used in the bags," he added.

Urumiye'ei further noted that after approval of the relevant committee in Tehran Islamic City Council, such bags will be distributed in Shahrvand stores.
"This method will be used for the first time, is economically feasible and all necessary raw materials can be easily procured in the country. The bags are totally produced by domestic specialists," he added.

First Iranian Recyclable Library Opens

The first recyclable bookmobile has been launched in west Tehran to provide free services to citizens.

SAMA reported that the library will contain books made of recyclable material. In this plan, citizens will swap their useless books with books from the library. In addition, enthusiast citizens will receive books as gift.

The plan has been thus far warmly welcomed by citizens in west Tehran. The recyclable bookmobile stays at any neighborhood for 3 days and apart from gifting books will provide education on how to recycle garbage at origin.
Also, 400 books were distributed among the aged on the occasion of seniors day at Chitgar Park.

... Payvand News - 10/06/09 ... --

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