SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

From Ocean Waste to Plastic Grace

Response to Macris School's Shrimp Shell Bioplastic Innovation
Project: From Ocean Waste to Plastic Grace
Created by: Students from Macris School, Honduras
Link to project: Padlet Post

One of the Goals Project Padlets that caught my attention is the bioplastic innovation from Macris School in Honduras. Their bioplastic project transforms shrimp exoskeletons into biodegradable plastic alternatives. Shrimp exoskeletons happen to be one of the largest waste products in Honduras's export industry. The approach these students took demonstrates how local resources can be used to solve large scale, global problems.

What makes their project so compelling is that it solves three problems at once. Firstly, it is able to utilize the shrimp exoskeletons which were formally a waste product. Secondly, it lowers plastic waste that would be discarded into the ocean. Lastly, it reduces that reliance on petroleum which can contribute to global warm and the exhaustion of fossil fuels.

The hands-on part of this project stood out to me too. Students conducted experiments to extract and process the shrimp shells, documented their steps with photos and infographics, and tested their bioplastic material. They progressed from their local science fair to the ABSH Honduran Bilingual School competition, further refining the process along the way. I feel projects like this make learning more engaging because students can see real results from the scientific process

What impressed me the most was the future thinking towards their development. They place to launch an actual business venture with this bioplastic innovation. This shows how they understand solving environmental problems need to both be viable scientifically and business-wise. 

Overall, this project is a great example go how student-led innovation can address global issues by using local resources. The Macris School team shows that young people can be innovators and contribute to real world issues