Spirulina cube (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. Here Mallory Parker, UW materials science and engineering doctoral student, holds up a bioplastic cube made from spirulina. 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.