Scientists at a research lab in Japan have produced a paper-based material that could be an ideal replacement for those single-use plastics. A cup made from the transparent material could hold just-boiled water for over 3 hours with no leakage. When the researchers coated the cup with a plant-derived fatty acid salt, it became completely waterproof. To test the degradability of the material in case of accidental release into the ocean, the researchers submerged paperboard sheets at sites located at four different ocean sites of varying depths. The material fully decomposed in 300 days at deep ocean depths. The degradation was even faster in shallower depths because of warmer temperatures.
Close to 2 million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans every year, and much of that plastic is single-use beverage bottles, cups, and straws.
Transparent paperboard could replace single-use plastics
