The US Army is planning to use biodegradable bullets loaded with special seeds that sprout into plants eliminating ammunition debris and contaminants, reducing soil pollution in training grounds.
Spent shells litter training facilities across the world. Shells contain metals and other chemicals which can rust and pollute groundwater and soils.
US Department of Defense are soliciting proposals for biodegradable bullets loaded with seeds to grow environmentally beneficial plants.
These eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants. The US Army has developed and tested the seeds which can be embedded into biodegradable composite.
These seeds have been bioengineered to germinate only after they have been in the ground for several months.
Plants that grow from these seeds could also remove soil contaminants and feed local wildlife.