That rather unappetising image may soon be a reality, thanks to the rise of bioplastics.

These biodegradable materials may soon offer a realistic – and cost effective – alternative to plastics derived from oil.

They are part of a movement to better utilise the ever increasing mountains of waste created by humans.

Saima Mohsin travels to Sacramento, California, to visit a company that is using some of the seven million tonnes of dry solid human waste produced in the US every year, to create useful products.

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