WHOI Scientists Discover Fastest Degrading Bioplastic in Seawater – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Earth’s oceans have become a dumping ground for the plastic waste that humans generate. Every year, anywhere from 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic enter the oceans. Replacing traditional plastics with those that degrade in the ocean would reduce harm to marine animals and the environment.
Woods Hole, Mass. (Oct. 17, 2024) – Scientists at the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution have been working for years to find out what types of plastics have the shortest and longest lifespans in the ocean, and what types of plastic products – like straws and food wrappers – most commonly contribute to plastic pollution. Researchers are racing to develop biodegradable materials that can replace traditional plastics without causing harm to ocean environments.
After years of testing, a new version of cellulose diacetate (CDA) has been found to be the fastest degrading bioplastic material tested in seawater. The new CDA is a a plastic-like polymer derived from wood pulp material that degrades 15 times faster than solid CDA, and even faster than paper. It can replace other foam plastic materials, like Styrofoam, which can linger in the environment for many years.
summary by Susan McSwain for FoN
