JAPAN: Sanyo uses corn to make biodegradable CDs

Versatile as it is, corn has now found a new use – as material to make biodegradable DVDs and CDs. Japan-based optical disc maker Sanyo Mavic Media Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of electronics giant Sanyo says its environment-friendly disc can be thrown away and, when buried, will decompose like any plant-based substance. If burnt, no dioxins are produced, the company claims.

October 2, 2003

Versatile as it is, corn has now found a new use – as material to make biodegradable DVDs and CDs.

Japan-based optical disc maker Sanyo Mavic Media Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of electronics giant Sanyo says its environment-friendly disc can be thrown away and, when buried, will decompose like any plant-based substance. If burnt, no dioxins are produced, the company claims.

Nutritionally speaking, however, they would make for a very tough going meal. One head of corn will yield about 10 discs that are just as hard and plastic as conventional disks, said the company.