The MSNBC website has a fascinating story on how scientists are using wood fibre to make plastic stronger.

According to a quote at the original article, “By adding an ounce of crystals to a pound of plastic, you can increase the strength of the plastic by a factor of 3,000″.

That’s quite amazing and should see plastic being used to construct even more things. It’s interesting also because it reminded me of a visit I made to Hong Kong Disneyland earlier this year, when I had the chance to go overseas to meet family.

Almost everything at Disneyland HK was made from plastic - the trees, the fence posts, the seats, the moss and leaves on the trees… everything! It was all made from plastic!

And this has to be because it doesn’t readily break down. If it gets dirty, I’m sure you can just wash it! About the only thing that could happen is that it could melt…

Might the home of the future be made from incredibly strong plastic? Mrs Robinson may have been right after all… perhaps the future really is in plastics!

Related: