article thumbnail

What happens to biodegradable plastics if they enter the sea? New study

Envirotec Magazine

Plymouth Marine Laboratory writes Our new study investigates what happens when biodegradable plastics enter the ocean, and whether these increasingly popular alternatives to conventional plastics are safer for marine ecosystems, or whether they come with their own risks. million metric tons in 2023 to almost 5.3

article thumbnail

Graphene-based packaging presented as first truly biodegradeable and compostable alternative to plastic

Envirotec Magazine

UK biotech company Toraphene says it is preparing to unveil the world’s first truly biodegradable, compostable and commercially viable alternative to plastic packaging. It’s because they need specific manmade conditions to biodegrade, and many degrade into microplastics, which contaminate our oceans and food chain for centuries”.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

The Australian government unveils plan to end plastic pollution

Inhabitat - Innovation

With the National Plastic Plan, Australia aims to address challenges with biodegradable, recyclable and compostable plastics.

Plastics 274
article thumbnail

Millions of household products to become biodegradable within seven years: New roadmap

Envirotec Magazine

The group believes that it will be possible to develop and scale the first biodegradable PLFs and advance circular economy infrastructure for these chemicals by 2030. Thanks to our involvement, we have established a new research partnership with York and Nottingham universities in which we’re using AI to help create biodegradable PLFs.

article thumbnail

Transforming flies into degradable plastics

Envirotec Magazine

A project that uses insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later is being presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2023 event, a hybrid meeting being held 13-17 August. This nontoxic, biodegradable, sugar-based polymer strengthens the shell, or exoskeleton, of insects and crustaceans.

Plastics 130
article thumbnail

Tannins: A possible answer to microplastic pollution?

Envirotec Magazine

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris resulting from the breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. per cent of plastic particles in a column of water, depending on plastic type. per cent of plastic particles in a column of water, depending on plastic type. per cent to 99.9 per cent to 99.9

article thumbnail

There are no 'silver bullet' solutions to plastics

GreenBiz

There are no 'silver bullet' solutions to plastics. The latest culprit: Bacardi unveiled a bioplastic bottle that can biodegrade in compost systems, freshwater and oceans in 18 months. The latest culprit: Bacardi unveiled a bioplastic bottle that can biodegrade in compost systems, freshwater and oceans in 18 months. In the Loop.

Plastics 205