![\"smart](\"http:\/\/www.instablogsimages.com\/images\/2010\/01\/25\/smart-mud_7bJ8i_69.jpg\")
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Eco Factor:<\/strong> Plastic created from organic materials, including mud.<\/p>\n Researchers opine that out of the total amount of petroleum that is being consumed in the U.S., a staggering 4.6 percent goes into the development of plastics that is further used in hundreds of products. A research team in Japan is trying to green the credentials of plastic by developing it by combining clay, water and a special thickening agent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plastic is created by combining small percentage of clay and less than half a percent of organic compounds in a solution with water. The mixture leads to a strong, self-healing plastic, which is being referred to as hydrogel. This unique material can be shaped into any object and can rapidly and completely heal itself if damaged. <\/p>\n The plastic contains a special ingredient called sodium polyacrylate, a super absorbent material that can absorb 300 times its weight in water. However, though the material is organic, there are safety concerns, because it can cause endocrine system disruption and contamination if not handled properly. The plastic isn\u2019t perfected yet and the research team is still working out the proportions of the ingredients for that perfect blend. <\/p>\n