Biodegradable Plastics
WORKSHEET
Vocabulary
Biodegradable
Capable of being broken down naturally by microorganisms.Indistinguishable
Not able to be told apart from something else.Integrate
To combine with something so that they become a whole.Transform
To change in form, appearance, or structure.Reinvent
To change something so much that it appears to be entirely new.Sustainable
Using methods that do not deplete resources or harm the environment.Decompose
To break down into basic elements or components.Ambitions
Strong desires to achieve something.Inspire
To fill someone with the urge or ability to do something.Innovative
Introducing new ideas or methods.
Grammar Points
Passive Voice (including continuous forms)
Used to emphasize the action or result rather than the doer (e.g., “This bacteria-filled liquid is being used to make biodegradable plastic”).Present Perfect Simple
Used to describe past actions with present relevance or recent achievements (e.g., “They have developed new ways of using microbes to create sustainable packaging”).Modal Verbs for Possibility and Advice
Used to express ability, probability, permission, or recommendations (e.g., “You can integrate that into existing equipment.” / “It might seem impossible…”).Reduced Relative Clauses
Used to simplify relative clauses, especially in spoken and formal English (e.g., “These containers can decompose in a few months if they’re put into compost”).Non-defining Relative Clauses
Used to add extra, non-essential information about a noun, often separated by commas or dashes (e.g., “The company’s ambitions go beyond packaging — and so does its message”).Subjunctive/Emphatic Future Tone
Used to express strong intention, hope, or encouragement about the future, often with emphasis (e.g., “You will turn that vision into reality”).
Activities
Activity 1
Passive Voice Transformation
Instructions
Rewrite the following active sentences from the Shellworks process into the passive voice. Then write one original passive sentence about environmental innovation.
Example:
“They use microbes to break down the material.”
“Microbes are used to break down the material.”
Sentences to transform:
They created a new type of packaging.
Microorganisms break it down.
The company ships thousands of containers.
They shaped the material into bottles.
Activity 2
Opinion Writing
Instructions
Write a short opinion paragraph (120–150 words) in response to this question:
“Do you think biodegradable plastics will replace traditional plastics in the next 20 years?”
Use at least two modal verbs, one passive construction, and at least one advanced connector (e.g., however, moreover, as a result).
Activity 3
Paraphrase Challenge
Instructions
Work in pairs. One student reads a sentence from the video. The other student says it in a different way, using their own words.
Example:
Original: “Indistinguishable from a plastic.”
Paraphrase: “It looks just like plastic.”
Questions
What material is Shellworks using to create biodegradable plastic?
What role does composting play in how Shellworks' products are disposed of or reused?
Have you seen any similar examples of sustainable innovation in your country? Describe one.
TRANSCRIPT
Biodegradable Plastics
NARRATOR:
This bacteria-filled liquid is being used to make biodegradable plastic.
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“What you end up coming up with is actually a powder, something like this, and from that you can actually make materials that behave just like a plastic.”
NARRATOR:
The powder is then placed into a machine, where it’s processed into a usable form.
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“So, kind of indistinguishable from a plastic. And the beauty of that is that then you can integrate that into existing equipment.”
NARRATOR:
Next, the material is transformed into a liquid and shaped into biodegradable containers.
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“Our mission is really to kind of reinvent plastics, so create a world in which all the products and materials we touch are toxic free as well as waste free.”
NARRATOR:
Shellworks began several years ago with the idea of turning lobster shells into plastic. Now, they’ve developed new ways of using microbes to create sustainable packaging.
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“You can start to see that basically it's being eaten and degraded by the same microorganisms that made it.”
NARRATOR:
These containers can decompose in a few months if they’re put into compost.
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“Today we've shipped about a million products, so we do things in the personal care packaging space at the moment, so things like bottles, shampoo bottles, tubs, containers, that kind of thing. But the vision is actually to be able to impact other industries as well.”
NARRATOR:
The company’s ambitions go beyond packaging — and so does its message. Insiya also has some advice for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world:
SOUNDBITE - Insiya Jafferjee:
“It might seem impossible, even crazy or too ambitious, but it is possible, and you'll take that possibility and turn it into a reality.”
NARRATOR:
Shellworks presents an innovative response to the growing challenge of plastic waste. Insiya hopes their work will inspire others to drive positive change.