Green Career Trends: Corn Stalks and Husks Being Made Into Corn Board, Stoneyfield Farm Switches to Plant Based Material for Yogurt Cups

Using corn as an abundant and renewable resource, researchers at the University of Illinois have created CornBoard, a corn based composite board that can be a suitable replacement for particle board, plywood, or fiberboard. Corn Board Manufacturing Inc.(CBMI) has signed an agreement with the University to bring the patented technology to market.  The primary ingredient used in Corn Board are the corn stalks and husks commonly known as corn stover, a by product of growing corn. The binding agent is resin-based and non-toxic.  CBMI estimates that the corn stover from just two acres would provide enough Corn Board to build a two story house supplying the roof decking, flooring, and outer wall sheathing.

Speaking of corn, Stoneyfield Farm has announced it's no longer using petroleum based styrofoam to make its multi-pack organic cups. Instead they are being made from corn and stamped on the bottom with the words, this cup is made from plants.  By March of next year, fresh fruit juice maker Odwalla will be using plant-based material, sugar cane, to make its single use bottles.