Dr. Joe Schwarcz

So it would be great to have the one-armed scientist who only gives us good things. The fact is that these biodegradable plastics are biodegradable under ideal conditions, which usually means some sort of industrial, commercial composting facility.

So it would be great to have the one-armed scientist who only gives us good things. The fact is that these biodegradable plastics are biodegradable under ideal conditions, which usually means some sort of industrial, commercial composting facility.

So it would be great to have the one-armed scientist who only gives us good things. The fact is that these biodegradable plastics are biodegradable under ideal conditions, which usually means some sort of industrial, commercial composting facility.

And I can tell you that I've done an experiment where I have one of these plastic cups, the polylactic acid cups that are biodegradable, and I've left it out in my backyard and now for two years. And I can tell you that it has not degraded at all. It looks the same as it looked then.

And I can tell you that I've done an experiment where I have one of these plastic cups, the polylactic acid cups that are biodegradable, and I've left it out in my backyard and now for two years. And I can tell you that it has not degraded at all. It looks the same as it looked then.

And I can tell you that I've done an experiment where I have one of these plastic cups, the polylactic acid cups that are biodegradable, and I've left it out in my backyard and now for two years. And I can tell you that it has not degraded at all. It looks the same as it looked then.

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

But if it were present in a compost pile that is constantly being turned all the time and where the microbes are monitored, where the temperature is monitored, then it would degrade.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

What is that smell? If you've ever opened an old book, I mean, we're talking at least decades old, probably a book that has not been stored very well, that has been exposed to mold or fungi, mostly humidity, you can develop a variety of smells. And that originates from the breakdown of the cellulose, which of course is the fundamental building block of paper. and also from the infusion of fungi.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Fungi are everywhere. They're present in the air. They're microscopic, so you don't see them. But when they get into a book and especially aided and abetted by moisture, they will start to use the cellophane or the cellulose that is the essential part of paper as food. And when they digest that, they crank out some pretty smelly compounds.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

Duct tape is fascinating, of course, in many ways. First of all, the name. It actually comes from a Dutch word, and it has nothing to do with ducks. It has nothing to do with D-U-C-K. And it turns out that... During the Second World War, ammunition boxes were sealed with a type of paper tape, but that paper tape would tear very easily.

So when soldiers in the heat of the battle had to open these ammunition boxes, the tape would tear and they wouldn't be able to open the box. And that precipitated a search to find a tape that would be hardy, but that would easily be removed without tearing. And that's what gave birth to what we now call the duct tape.

So when soldiers in the heat of the battle had to open these ammunition boxes, the tape would tear and they wouldn't be able to open the box. And that precipitated a search to find a tape that would be hardy, but that would easily be removed without tearing. And that's what gave birth to what we now call the duct tape.