Green Spot

What the heck is “Liquid Wood” you ask? You can watch that video in the link, or you can take a gander at this post and we’ll try to do our best to explain what it’s all about in a few short sentences. A German company called Arboform has devised a thermoplastic material made from 100% recycled materials to try and take the place of wood in many applications such as housing, furniture and more. Not only do they want to reduce deforestation, but they claim that the product biodegrades as would wood when thrown away, and would potentially replace a huge amount of the world’s plastic needs and production of plastic with oil too.

The material starts at about $1.70 USD per pound, whereas normal plastic costs about $0.70 to $3 a pound USD currently (estimate based on July 2010 pricing). The higher cost reflects why it may never become mainstream even though it is also made from a byproduct of papermaking that has no use now. Do not expect it to replace plastic water bottles either, as it cannot be made see-through or even the color white. That hasn’t been a problem for our reusable water bottles though.

The product may also see usage in generating cars and buildings to, as they seem to carry a product line of more than just Arboform but also Arbofill and Arboblend, which are said to be stronger materials.

A subsidiary of Gucci has signed on to make some of its shoes from Arboform and there are plans for toys and computer housing/casing from the material as well. The main substance, Lignin, is taken from the cellulose of wood and Arboform is made from a lot of recycled wood pulp, paper and non-toxic resin that will never degrade in to the water table. Here’s more on the material:

“By mixing specific types of lignin [from post-consumer paper pulp] with natural fibres from wood, flax, hemp, sisal or other fibrous plants and natural additives a composition is produced which can be processed at raised temperatures [and utilized in many applications that call for plastic].”

Save the trees, reduce oil usage and plastic waste - get the word out that Arboform is here on the market to help the world go green.

German company 'Arboform' wants to reduce plastic and save trees.

Conservationists, timber companies and the Canadian government have reached an accord to protect over 275,000 miles of forest.

“The total protected area is about twice the size of Germany, and equals the area of forest lost globally between 1990 and 2005.“

This unprecedented move represents the world’s largest deal made in order to protect forests and land for wildlife. Similar agreements had been in place for Brazil’s threatened and important rainforests, but the sheer size of the secured land, from the country’s Atlantic coast to its Pacific coast, makes it a remarkable agreement from both sides of the political coin.

Commercial paper mill and timber companies will be looking in to more sustainable practices, and environmental rights groups will call off protests, amendments to forestry bills and forego future boycotts to participating companies. These Taiga or Boreal forests, as upheld by the Canadian Forestry Service, comprise over 25% of the world’s land mass and represent the only home to the Caribou - one of the only mammals to withstand the harsh winters of this type of forest (only seen in Canada and Russian Siberia).

Mankind should rejoice as this type of deal is symbolic of the present-day push towards a greener future, more oxygen and more green solutions.

The home of the Caribou has been saved!