In the News: Blobs of gelatinous balloons Instead of Plastic Water Bottles?(Bell ringer activity)

Almost 50 billion(yes BILLION) plastic water bottles are thrown away each year! An edible gelatinous balloon may be just the answer to this growing problem. Called Ooho,the sphere shaped containers are made from a brown algae. Researchers say the membrane blobs can be made in different sizes and that even the labels would be made from rice paper. With a double lining of membrane, the labels would be placed between the layers so no glue would be needed. The current design requires you biting into the sphere to drink the water.And, if you don't wish to EAT the water container, it is biodegradable.

Questions:
What do you think about this water container?
What might be a question you'd have to ask about the design?
About how many plastic water bottles do YOU use a week?
Give 2 reasons why people use plastic water bottles?

Factoids:
Did you know that the USA uses the most bottled water containers?
Did you know that only one out of six plastic water bottles is recycled?
It is estimated that the average American uses 167 plastic water bottles a year.
Scientists say it takes about 700 years for a plastic bottle to begin to decompose.

Photograph from gizmodo.com

Perhaps, you may find this bell ringer of interest to use with your students.

Gail

Check out my teacher resources at: https://www.pinterest.com/gailhennessey/?redirected=1