# Sweet Biodegradable Plastics Sugar-Based Polymer for Compostable Plastic Found By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-02-21 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-biodegradable-plastics References: [greenpacks.org](http://www.greenpacks.org/2010/02/19/scientists-make-plastic-sweet-easily-compostable/#more-7966) & [telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7258503/Scientists-develop-new-plastic-made-from-sugar-that-can-be-composted.html) British scientists have discovered a way to create plastic-making polymers from sugars found in common, fast growing trees and grasses. The [natural plastics currently on the market](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huid) don't biodegrade readily, but the plastics made with the new polymer would be [compostable with other organic waste](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-carp-packaging). Research to make sugar-based plastics for the mass market is underway and may bring the product to market by 2015. **Implications** - Plastics can be quite detrimental to the environment with people using up 150 million tons of it per year. Plastics are made almost entirely out of fossil fuels. A man named Dr. Williams who is working on the [biodegradable plastics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfpacking-cheese) project was the one responsible for discovering that polymer can be extracted from glucose that is found in trees and grasses. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Biodegradable Plastics:** Creating plastics from sugars for compostable and eco-friendly alternatives. - **Sugar-based Polymers:** Developing polymers from glucose in trees and grasses for sustainable plastic production. - **Compostable Packaging:** Designing packaging materials that can easily biodegrade with organic waste. ### Who This Affects Most - **Packaging Industry:** Replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives for sustainable packaging solutions. - **Plastic Manufacturing Industry:** Exploring the use of sugar-based polymers as a disruptive innovation in plastic production. - **Green Technology Industry:** Leveraging the development of biodegradable plastics to promote eco-friendly practices and products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Non-Soggy Biodegradable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lignin.md) - [Biodegradable Styrofoam Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-styrofoam-alternative.md) - [Seafood Waste Bioplastics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natnov-bioscience.md) - [Plant-Based Plastic Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-pet-bottle.md) - [Bio-Based Single-Use Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verigreen-plus.md) - [Compostable Instant Coffee Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natureworks.md) - [High-Performance Polymer Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zymochem.md) - [Adaptable Plastic Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2m-group.md) - [Plant-Based Soda Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-bottle.md)