(Image source from: Reuters.com)

Plastic remains one of the leading contributors to global ocean pollution. Microplastics are not only found in our food, but they have also infiltrated the placentas of developing babies and can be discovered in the depths of the Mariana Trench. Nonetheless, scientists in Japan have developed a new type of plastic that could potentially reduce ocean contamination. This innovation comes from researchers at the RIKEN Centre for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo. The newly created plastic possesses the durability comparable to that of conventional petroleum-based plastics. However, in stark contrast to typical plastics that take between 20 to 500 years to decompose, this new plastic disintegrates into its original substances upon contact with salt. These substances are then consumed by microorganisms in the water, ensuring no residual microplastic or nanoplastic particles remain. As reported by Reuters, the researchers recently demonstrated this biodegradable plastic at a laboratory in Wako City, located near Tokyo. They highlighted how the material dissolved in salty water in approximately one hour. It’s notable that salt is also present in soil, where it would take around 200 hours for the new plastic to break down completely.

Furthermore, this innovative plastic appears to be safe for human use, offers fire resistance, and does not emit carbon dioxide. The researchers have indicated that although the material is not yet suitable for commercial application, they are diligently developing a coating technique. Project leader Takuzo Aida mentioned that their work has garnered considerable attention from stakeholders in the packaging industry. According to the UN Environment Programme, plastic pollution is projected to increase threefold by 2040, resulting in an additional 23 to 37 million metric tons of waste entering oceans each year. A study last year in the journal Nature indicated that India is responsible for approximately one-fifth of global plastic pollution. The country incinerates roughly 5.8 million tonnes of plastic annually and contributes another 2.5 million tonnes of waste to land, air, and water, positioning India as the leading plastic polluter worldwide.