One University of Victoria studentB次元官网网址檚 bright idea could soon be a regular feature at music festivals around the province.

Paige Whitehead is working on creating a non-toxic, compostable glow-stick.

B次元官网网址淎fter going to festivals and seeing glow-sticks all over the ground, I started to do some research. Right now IB次元官网网址檓 working on a prototype of a compostable glow-stick made entirely out of algae-based products,B次元官网网址� said Whitehead, adding her product is so safe you can practically eat it. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 legally say that yet because these products need to meet a lot of regulations.B次元官网网址�

She said many of the glow-sticks on the market today contain carcinogens and other toxins.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been to black-light parties where people spray them on clothes and that kind of thing, so itB次元官网网址檚 quite dangerous. They say on the package not to do that but just knowing that that is something that happens,B次元官网网址� said Whitehead, adding even if you donB次元官网网址檛 come in contact with the contents yourself B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 definitely not something you want leaching into your ecosystem.B次元官网网址�

The fourth-year microbiology and environmental studies student has joined forces with a research team in Arizona who has been working on the issue for 20 years, and has also been in contact with a company that produced an edible straw about designing the container for her glow-stick, which will be called Light Wand.

She says they are working on extending the glow time for Light Wand, which now produces a bright glow for about 30 to 60 minutes, with a lower glow for another couple hours after that. She says if the enzyme used in the glow-stick was the size of a person, B次元官网网址渋t would be producing enough light to be seen from outer space, so itB次元官网网址檚 really a powerful reaction.B次元官网网址�

Whitehead is now working on developing the moulds needed to go into large-scale production, with a goal of 10,000 produced for the first batch, as well as the process needed to get a business off the ground with things like patenting and licensing the trade name in Canada and the U.S.

She is working on a prototype that she can send out as a sample and will be primarily focusing on festivals around B.C.

B次元官网网址淚 have got in touch with a number of festivals who are really interested but itB次元官网网址檚 something no oneB次元官网网址檚 seen before. ThatB次元官网网址檚 going to be the most important part, just getting those first samples out and making sure theyB次元官网网址檙e good to go,B次元官网网址� said Whitehead, who moved to Saanich from the Comox Valley about five years ago.

She says her market research suggests people are more likely to purchase something from the festival itself.

B次元官网网址淵ou could get it with your ticket, or it might be at the main merchandise area. They will be available online as well,B次元官网网址� said Whitehead, who just launched her website and should have a Kick Starter campaign running by the summer.

Whitehead says sheB次元官网网址檚 very interested in soil science and developing common-use items that donB次元官网网址檛 harm the environment, but she expects the Light Wand to be her main focus over the next few years.

B次元官网网址淚 definitely see this as one of the main things IB次元官网网址檒l be doing while continuing my studies on to graduate school.B次元官网网址�