Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), one of the BIObec project’s partners, has been very active in the last weeks by disseminating the BIObec project among students from secondary and middle schools in two events held in Italy:
- Bioplastic from milk to reduce damage to the environment in Rome.
- Plastics and bioplastics at the “Sustainability festival” in Molinella.
BIOBEC participates in an event in Rome during the World Biodiversity Day
On May 22, within the framework of World Biodiversity Day, the public presentation of the National Biodiversity Center (NBFC – National Biodiversity Future Centre) was held at the Italian Presidential Residence of Castelporziano, in Rome (Italy). The NBFC is a research and innovation initiative on the priority issue of biodiversity protection that has never been carried out in Italy, a central and urgent issue that requires an unprecedented commitment and a new scientific and cultural approach.
The BIObec project contributed to this national event by organizing activities for middle schools during the morning of May 22. The hands-on activity was focused on the circular economy and the valorisation of waste, which shows how it is possible to exploit natural polymers to create a sustainable alternative to petroleum derivatives. The experiment gave chance to talk about bioeconomy and other fields related to STEM disciplines.
In the words of Armida Torregiani, from CNR: “Circular Economy and the valorisation of waste are two key topics that show how it is possible to exploit natural polymers to create a sustainable alternative to petroleum derivatives. The experiment made in this event has given us the chance to talk about bioeconomy and other fields related to STEM disciplines. This is the BIObec project spirit, and we are delighted to continue sharing it with the next generations of scientists in Italy”.
Plastics and bioplastics at “Sustainability festival” in Molinella
To celebrate 100 years of CNR, as a collaboration between ISOF and the middle school “Severino Ferrari” Biobec project was highlighted in the event called “Sustainability Festival”. On May 30, Italian partners of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) hosted an event where researchers brought a laboratory activity focused on reuse and recycling. When expired, milk can be used to produce bioplastics: every student received some hot milk, a small amount of vinegar, food dyes and a sieve. With these ingredients and set-up, they were able to produce their own bioplastic. The experiment gave us the chance to talk about the future of plastic and the substitution of fossil-based materials with renewable ones. This event was hosted by Riccardo Lucentini, Efrem Piccinini, Sebastian Barata-Vallejo, and Armida Torregiani, from CNR. All of them shared the upcoming activities and projects that will be carried out by the BIObec project, both in Italy and Europe.
