Courtney Laprise, a Memorial University master's student, developed a plastic alternative using fish guts.
The experiments conducted were aimed to reduce the dependence on oil. Fish heads and intestines are sources of oil extraction.
Laprise was able to obtain the formula for the fish-based plastic alternative after months of disappointing results. Future tests about tensile strength and mechanical properties will be conducted by Laprise.
In addition to other tests, biodegradation studies will also be performed to determine how the material will break down in both freshwater and seawater.
Currently, Laprise is determined to finish her thesis but already has inquiries from companies who would like to make a partnership with her discovery. With this development, environmental issues regarding plastics will be solved and small fish-producing towns will have improvement in their economy.
"There's a large amount of waste and a lot of these companies, they have to pay to get rid of this waste and it would be awesome if they could use this for another purpose," said Laprise.
"You could have a plant right next to it making these materials so ... you know, more jobs in these communities."
The researcher believes that fish products are compatible with Newfoundland and Labrador.
"I mean as someone from Newfoundland you have a connection to the ocean, you know, you want to protect it and it's very much a part of everyday life here. It's very promising, I think, and it's very exciting."
