New biodegradable packaging could address plastic pollution problem - Innovation News Network

Improper disposal of plastic in oceans has led to an environmental crisis, but the research team believe this new biodegradable packaging could make advances in solving plastic pollution issues in our oceans.

In 2010, scientists estimated that eight billion kilograms of plastic disposal enter the ocean every year, with a huge increase expected by 2025.

Shoes, including flip-flops, make up the largest percentage of plastic waste in our oceans and landfills.

“We’ve shown that it’s absolutely possible to make high-performance plastic products that also can degrade in the ocean.

Plastics should not be going into the ocean in the first place, but if they do, this material becomes food for microorganisms and not plastic trash and microplastics that harm aquatic life,” Mayfield said.

The team also found microorganisms from six different marine sites that are capable of breaking down and consuming the biodegradable packaging.