Biodegradable plastic created in the USA
Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley have found a way to make plastic truly biodegradable. It is partially destroyed in three days and completely in two weeks, reports Nature .
Biodegradable plastic has been in the works for a long time. A huge number of plastic products are produced in the world, and subsequently they pollute the nature. Plastic is extremely durable, which makes the problem even more acute.
Earlier, experts presented several options for the “new” plastic. But most of these materials contained polyester and proved to be as resistant as conventional options.
The authors of the new scientific work have improved the degradable plastic. Enzymes that destroy polyester were “embedded” into the plastic as it was manufactured. These enzymes were protected by a polymer sheath. When exposed to water and heat, the polymer “cover” was destroyed, and the enzymes split polyester into “building blocks” to the state of lactic acid (this substance is able to nourish soil microbes).
Experiments have shown that 98% of the plastic created using the new technology has disintegrated into small molecules. At the same time, the properties of the plastic did not deteriorate. If necessary, it can be melted and created a new shape, as is the case with conventional polyester material. One of the study co-authors, former UCLA graduate student Aaron Hall, has already set up a company to further develop biodegradable plastics.
Earlier it became known that there is a large amount of microplastics in the Earth's atmosphere. This is dangerous for ecosystems and human health.
