The ultimate recycled garden.
AT FIRST GLANCE, THE front yard didn't look out of the ordinary. A handsome walkway led past beds of flowers and ornamental plants to a house with a French provincial facade. Then, as you looked closer, touched the objects, and consulted the exhibit brochure, you discovered that everything in this...

Plants: the new plastic makers.
In these times of environmental woe, turning plants into biodegradable plastics would really prove a blessing. A recent development may set the stage for such a modern-day miracle. Plants can be genetically engineered to produce commercially useful quantities of a biodegradable plastic that resembles polypropylene, Chris Somerville,...

Get Ritted and Fitted.
Kit for the ski slopes should be convenient, functional and fashionable. Geographical has rounded up a range of the best kit available this winter BOOTS `N' ALL LANGE FRAME 7: These innovatively designed four buckle boots are setting new standards in performance and convenience. They...

Kitchen remodeler's question: which counter surface?
Chop on it, knead on it, serve from it: you ask a lot, every day, of your kitchen counter. Selecting a counter surface is an important decision, whether you're building a new kitchen or remodeling. No one material is best for all purposes, but each of the six described on...

Panel to Address Environmental Impact of New Fuels, Plastics Made from Renewable Resources.
ENERGY RESOURCE-2 May 2007-Panel to Address Environmental Impact of New Fuels, Plastics Made from Renewable Resources(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com A panel of environmental advocates and biotechnology industry leaders will discuss how novel fuels and plastics made from renewable resources will impact greenhouse gas and ozone emissions, reduce...

Planet-safe picnics: going "zero waste" with biodegradable Greenware.
With biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery, picknickers can enjoy eating outdoors without leaving a lasting reminder in the local landfill. Plastics made from renewable resources like corn and potato starch (biopolymers), and tableware and cutlery derived from corn, potatoes and sugarcane waste (bagasse), offer new possibilities for...

International Trade Commission Reports Findings on Industrial Biotechnology.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-21 July 2008-International Trade Commission Reports Findings on Industrial Biotechnology(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Innovative research and development in industrial biotechnology is the key to future productivity and competitiveness for U.S. chemical and biofuels companies. According to a release, the Biotechnology Industry...

Pretty in plastic: pleather is a versatile, though controversial, alternative to leather. (Consumer News).
Just when you were getting used to "fake" meat, faux fur and drinking milk from a plant, along comes "pleather," also known as "plastic leather." Before you hit the runway in your new non-leather jacket, however, you should know why some environmentalists still prefer hides or advocate for completely...

Metabolix Purchases Biopol Assets From Monsanto.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and ST. LOUIS, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Monsanto Company and Metabolix, Inc. announced today that Metabolix has purchased Monsanto's Biopol assets to add to its current range of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Metabolix will also license certain plant science...

Grant for research on natural composites.
Researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU), USA, have received a $791 568 grant from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Energy to examine wood or other agricultural fibres for use in composites. The grant, awarded to the LSU AgCenter, is for research to...