Don’t throw away those old telephone books and plastic milk cartons, build
walls with them. CSIRO, Australia’s national research centre, is backing a
project to turn these raw ingredients into flat panels and mouldings that would
normally be made of wood. CSIRO claims that the mix of paper and plastic is
twice as strong and three times as stiff as polymer boards. The material also
repels water and is free from the knots and defects that weaken wood.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Life
Himalayan wolf-dog hybrids emerge as a threat to wolves and people
News

Environment
First test of CO2 removal with green sand finds no harm to marine life
News

Space
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history
News

Environment
Cleaning up air pollution could weaken vital AMOC ocean current
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Rebooting stem cells builds aged muscles and assists injury recovery
2
First test of CO2 removal with green sand finds no harm to marine life
3
Himalayan wolf-dog hybrids emerge as a threat to wolves and people
4
Neanderthals treated a dental cavity by drilling into the tooth
5
Why autism pioneer Uta Frith wants to dismantle the spectrum
6
Where did the laws of physics come from? I think I've found the answer
7
CAR T-cell therapy bolstered by stiffening up cancer cells first
8
New Scientist recommends a smart new account of human exceptionalism
9
Where do you think your ‘self’ is? Your answer is revealing
10
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history