One of the first projects at the University of Guelph's new Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre could solve a problem facing the city since the beginning of the Wet-Dry program: how to dispose of the green plastic bags that hold our organic waste?

At the recent grand opening of the centre, Mayor Karen Farbridge said the development of a biodegradable plastic bag made out of soy might be the answer.

The mayor was among about 200 people who turned out for the grand opening of the centre, where researchers will investigate ways to turn agricultural products such as soy, wheat and corn into car parts, furniture and fuel.

University professor Amar Mohanty, who holds the $3-million Premier's Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation, was enthusiastic as he spoke to the crowd.

"Our economy is in danger," he said.

"Bioproducts are inevitable, and there is no doubt from scientists that we have to go through this transition."

He said the centre will help Ontario facilitate a transition to a biobased economy and position Guelph as a world leader in the bioproducts field.

In an interview, Mohanty said that in as little as five years Canadians could be driving cars with plant-based components developed at the U of G's new centre.

The centre will turn crops into renewable biofuels to run vehicles and into resins, polymers and tough fibres for the production of biobased materials, which will reduce dependency on petroleum materials.

The centre will use many materials that are non-food-based biomaterial, said Mohanty, so the production of these "green" plastics wouldn't infringe on food crops.

After the opening ceremony, people toured the centre and saw first-hand how researchers will develop bioproducts. On display were various machines that mix and create the new products.

Various prototypes of composite materials were also on display.