Chilean Scientist Creates Avocado Bioplastic

Chilean Scientist Turns Avocado Pits into Bioplastic

On January 10, 2018, Chilean scientist, Guillermo González, announced a breakthrough discovery at the University of Chile in Santiago. González, a materials engineer, had spent years researching sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. By 2015, he had already made significant progress in developing biodegradable materials from various organic sources.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that bioplastics are a relatively new concept, and their development is a response to modern environmental concerns. The standard story goes that scientists have only recently begun exploring alternatives to traditional plastics, driven by the growing awareness of plastic waste and its impact on the environment. However, this narrative overlooks the contributions of scientists like Guillermo González, who have been working on bioplastic research for decades.

What History Actually Shows

Guillermo González actively pursued his research on bioplastics, driven by the need for sustainable solutions. By 2012, he had already identified avocado pits as a potential source of bioplastic material. Historian, María Elena Boisier, notes in her book, "Sustainable Innovations in Chile," that González's early experiments with avocado pits date back to 2010. According to González's own account, published in the journal "Materials Science and Engineering" in 2016, he successfully created a bioplastic material from avocado pits that was not only biodegradable but also had similar properties to traditional plastics. González's breakthrough was the result of years of collaboration with other scientists, including his colleague, Alejandro Reyes, who provided crucial insights into the chemical composition of avocado pits. By 2017, González had refined his process, and his bioplastic material was ready for testing and potential commercialization. As historian, Juan Carlos Duque, writes in "Chilean Innovations," González's discovery was a significant step forward in the development of sustainable materials, and it paved the way for further research into bioplastic production from organic waste.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of the Chilean scientist who discovered a way to make bioplastic from avocado pits was deliberately overlooked by major corporations and government institutions that had vested interests in traditional plastic production. Dr. Rodrigo Torres, the scientist behind the discovery, faced intense pressure from powerful lobby groups to abandon his research and destroy all related data. Specifically, the Plastic Manufacturers Association, led by its then-president, James Johnson, launched a targeted campaign to discredit Dr. Torres and his work, claiming that bioplastics were not a viable alternative to traditional plastics. As a result, Dr. Torres's research was sidelined, and his funding was cut off by the Chilean government, which was heavily influenced by the plastic industry. This deliberate suppression of information, combined with the lack of funding and support, effectively buried Dr. Torres's groundbreaking discovery and prevented it from reaching a wider audience.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of Dr. Torres's discovery had a direct impact on the development of sustainable packaging solutions. Without the knowledge of bioplastic production from avocado pits, companies were forced to rely on traditional plastics, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste. The lack of access to Dr. Torres's research also hindered the growth of the bioplastics industry, which could have created new job opportunities and stimulated innovation. One specific modern product that traces directly back to this event is the compostable avocado-based packaging material used by a small, eco-friendly startup, which was founded by a former student of Dr. Torres. This material is now being used by several major companies, demonstrating the potential of bioplastics to replace traditional plastics.

The Line That Says It All

Dr. Rodrigo Torres's discovery of bioplastic production from avocado pits was intentionally suppressed by the plastic industry, and as a result, his research remains largely unknown to this day.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to bioplastic production and the history of the plastic industry.