Finding viable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics and microplastics has never been more important. New research from scientists at UC San Diego and Algenesis shows that their plant-based polymers biodegrade — even at the microplastic level — in under seven months.
  • Yer Ma@lemm.ee
    13·
    8 months ago

    Cool cool cool… now how do I get the old ones out my water supply?

      • Yer Ma@lemm.ee
        1·
        8 months ago

        Did you actually read that? The process is wasteful and not something easily implemented. Even if it was done by the utility, the water would pass through many plastic bits before reaching the homes… IDK it doesn’t seem very usrful

  • Hirom@beehaw.org
    2·
    8 months ago

    Nice. It won’t help with existing junk, but it can be the basis for mandates that all plastic produced and sold be able to biodegrade within 9 months.

    If it becomes reality is could significantly reduce the amount of new microplastic, and as a side effect reduce fossil fuel consumption from the plastic industry.

    The raw material still has to come from somewhere. Plants based plastic could mean land use to grow plants for plastic production, which has it’s own impact.

    • NotSteve_
      8·
      8 months ago

      How about no?

      I’m not really sure what you’re suggesting. This is apparently plant based so I don’t really see the harm. We should definitely clean up what we have already but not sure what’s wrong with trying to find an alternative to avoid dumping anymore microplastics

      • Mikufan@ani.social
        12·
        8 months ago

        Why even use it when not using anything like that does the trick as well?

        • NotSteve_
          7·
          8 months ago

          As much as I would love that, companies won’t do it unless there’s a cost efficient, easy alternative.

          Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good, etc

          • Mikufan@ani.social
            2·
            8 months ago

            It was recently made mostly illegal in eu. Just saying. Most things work without as well, those that don’t can use alternatives.