Northeast Frontier Railway shifts to bio-plastic on trains , Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the first railway zone in India to use compostable bio-plastic on trains.
• A pilot project launched on Independence Day introduced biodegradable bags for distributing linen.
• The ISO 17088-compliant bioplastic was developed at IIT Guwahati.
• 40,000 bioplastic bags will be distributed across 25 trains from terminals in seven states.

Detailed Insights:

• The initiative aims to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability within the railway network.
• Bio-plastics offer a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics, breaking down naturally in composting environments.
• The use of ISO 17088-compliant bioplastics ensures that the material meets international standards for compostability.
• This project aligns with broader efforts to minimize the environmental impact of railway operations across India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Bio-plastic: Plastic made from renewable biomass sources, like vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or sugarcane.
• ISO 17088: International standard specifying procedures for determining the aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials.
• Compostability: The ability of a material to break down into non-toxic components under specific composting conditions.