Building a Better Bottle

Did you know that plastic water bottles can take 1,000 years to decompose, or break down, in a landfill? That's a long time! So Ari Jó­nsson, a student from Iceland, decided to see if he could create a new kind of bottle that was better for the environment. While researching different materials he learned about agar, which is a substance made from plant-like organisms called algae. He decided to try using this material for his bottle because it's biodegradable, which means it will decompose after it's thrown in the trash. 

His biodegradable water bottles are made by mixing powdered agar with water to create a material that feels like jelly. Then, this mixture is heated and poured into a bottle-shaped mold. After the mold cools down, water is poured inside for people to drink. The bottle will keep its shape until it's empty, and then it will start to decompose! You can't buy these bottles just yet, because they're still being designed, but Ari hopes they'll be available sometime soon. 

What kind of water bottle would YOU create that's better for the environment? Submit your ideas in the Design section.

(Image credit: Fast Company)