Spirulina has fire-resistant properties (IMAGE) University of Washington Caption A team led by researchers at the University of Washington has developed new bioplastics that degrade on the same timescale as a banana peel in a backyard compost bin. These bioplastics are made from powdered blue-green cyanobacteria cells, otherwise known as spirulina. One benefit of using spirulina is that it has fire-resistant properties. Here Mallory Parker, UW materials science and engineering doctoral student, demonstrates that the bioplastic, which has been shaped into a beam, is not catching on fire or melting. Credit Mark Stone/University of Washington Usage Restrictions For use with appropriate credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.