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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Old mattresses used to grow plants, crops

Credit: Reuters - 3D Animations (Next Me
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Old mattresses used to grow plants, crops
Old mattresses used to grow plants, crops

Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found a way to use foam from abandoned mattresses to grow plants and vegetables for those living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found a way to use foam from abandoned mattresses to grow plants and vegetables for those living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

In a news release from the university, researcher Tony Ryan explained that the mattress foam supports the plant while water and nutrient solution are pumped into the foam to allow the plant to grow.

This system is called hydroponic farming and involves plants that are supported artificially and do not use soil.

According to Jordanian law, refugees aren't allowed to grow plants in the ground or build permanent structures while living in these camps.

In order to allow large-scale farming, researchers built a plastic piping system and put it on a rack.

The piping system has numerous openings in which recycling yogurt pots holding the mattress foam and plants are put inside.

Nutrient solution is added and flows through to the plants, helping them to grow and produce crops.

This gives the refugees the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables which can be used for cooking their own meals, according to the researchers.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

Mattress foam being used to grow plants 2.

How hydroponic farming allows plants to grow 3.

How a plastic piping system is being used for large-scale farming 4.

Refugees can grow fresh vegetables in the camp which can be used to make meals VOICEOVER (in English): "Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found a way to use foam from abandoned mattresses to grow plants and vegetables for those living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan." "In a news release from the university, researcher Tony Ryan explained that the mattress foam supports the plant while water and nutrient solution are pumped into the foam to allow the plant to grow.

This system is called hydroponic farming and involves plants that are supported artificially and do not use soil." "In order to allow for large-scale farming, researchers built a plastic piping system and put it on a rack." "The piping system has numerous openings in which recycling yogurt pots holding the mattress foam and plants are put inside." "Nutrient solution is added and flows through to the plants, helping them to grow and produce crops." "According to the researchers, this gives the refugees the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables which can be used for cooking their own meals." SOURCES: BBC News, University of Sheffield https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-51466978/how-mattresses-could-solve-hunger https://youruniversity.group.shef.ac.uk/2019-2020/features/jordan/ https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/research/features/sheffield-zaatari-and-back-feeding-world-foam *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377

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