Japanese scientists develop plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours
Researchers in Japan have developed a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, offering up a potential solution for a modern-day scourge polluting oceans and harming wildlife.
While scientists have long experimented with biodegradable plastics, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo say their new material breaks down much more quickly and leaves no residual trace.
At a lab in Wako city near Tokyo, the team demonstrated a small piece of plastic vanishing in a container of salt water after it was stirred up for about an hour.
While the team has not yet detailed any plans for commercialisation, project lead Takuzo Aida said their research has attracted significant interest, including from those in the packaging sector.
Scientists worldwide are racing to develop innovative solutions to the growing plastic waste crisis, an effort championed by awareness campaigns such as World Environment Day, taking place on June 5.
Plastic pollution is set to triple by 2040, the UN Environment Programme has predicted, adding 23-37 million metric tons of waste into the world's oceans each year.
"Children cannot choose the planet they will live on. It is our duty as scientists to ensure that we leave them with the best possible environment," Aida said.
Aida said the new material is as strong as petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt.
Those components can then be further processed by naturally occurring bacteria, thereby avoiding generating microplastics that can harm aquatic life and enter the food chain.
As salt is also present in soil, a piece about five centimetres (two inches) in size disintegrates on land after over 200 hours, he added.
The material can be used like regular plastic when coated, and the team is focusing their current research on the best coating methods, Aida said.
The plastic is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not emit carbon dioxide, he added.
The discovery was announced just ahead of World Environment Day, marked annually on June 5th, with this year's theme once again focusing on Beat Plastic Pollution.
The global observance highlights the urgent need for action to reduce plastic waste, which continues to pose significant threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
This year's theme reinforces the growing push for sustainable alternatives and solutions to combat the widespread environmental damage caused by plastic pollution.
As part of the global effort, World Environment Day aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of plastic waste and encourages governments, businesses, and individuals to take proactive steps to address the issue.
With plastic pollution becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, this year's observance is a timely reminder of the collective responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations.
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Listen to article Researchers in Japan have developed a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, offering up a potential solution for a modern-day scourge polluting oceans and harming wildlife. While scientists have long experimented with biodegradable plastics, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo say their new material breaks down much more quickly and leaves no residual trace. At a lab in Wako city near Tokyo, the team demonstrated a small piece of plastic vanishing in a container of salt water after it was stirred up for about an hour. While the team has not yet detailed any plans for commercialisation, project lead Takuzo Aida said their research has attracted significant interest, including from those in the packaging sector. Scientists worldwide are racing to develop innovative solutions to the growing plastic waste crisis, an effort championed by awareness campaigns such as World Environment Day, taking place on June 5. Plastic pollution is set to triple by 2040, the UN Environment Programme has predicted, adding 23-37 million metric tons of waste into the world's oceans each year. "Children cannot choose the planet they will live on. It is our duty as scientists to ensure that we leave them with the best possible environment," Aida said. Aida said the new material is as strong as petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt. Those components can then be further processed by naturally occurring bacteria, thereby avoiding generating microplastics that can harm aquatic life and enter the food chain. As salt is also present in soil, a piece about five centimetres (two inches) in size disintegrates on land after over 200 hours, he added. The material can be used like regular plastic when coated, and the team is focusing their current research on the best coating methods, Aida said. The plastic is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not emit carbon dioxide, he added. The discovery was announced just ahead of World Environment Day, marked annually on June 5th, with this year's theme once again focusing on Beat Plastic Pollution. The global observance highlights the urgent need for action to reduce plastic waste, which continues to pose significant threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. This year's theme reinforces the growing push for sustainable alternatives and solutions to combat the widespread environmental damage caused by plastic pollution. As part of the global effort, World Environment Day aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of plastic waste and encourages governments, businesses, and individuals to take proactive steps to address the issue. With plastic pollution becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, this year's observance is a timely reminder of the collective responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations.
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