Researchers Create First Ever Fully Biodegradable Plastic
The need to reduce plastic pollution has become an urgent matter for many scientists around the world. Plastic waste has become an issue due to its exceedingly slow biodegradation rate and its potential to release toxins into Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. But recently, researchers from the University of Portsmouth, a public research university in Hampshire, England, have made a major breakthrough in the field of environmental plastic reduction: they have created the world’s first fully biodegradable plastic based on renewable sources.
What the Research Involved
The research involved using seaweed, or macroalgae, to create the new plastic material, known as alginate. Lead researcher Dr. Kamal Sinha of the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Portsmouth took the initiative in this project and he was elected to be the major author of the paper “Biodegradable plastic from renewable biomass sources – a review”, published by the journal “Materials Science and Engineering”.
Why Alginate is an Eco-Friendly Alternative
Alginate is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic not only because it is made from natural sources, such as seaweed, but also due to its sustainability. The alginate plastic can easily decompose in both water and soil, a process which contributes significantly to the reduction of plastic pollution. Additionally, its biodegradable properties also mean that there is no need for the traditional recycling processes required for non-biodegradable alternatives.
Advantages of Alginate Plastic
The alginate plastic developed by the researchers has numerous advantages that make it an attractive alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. These benefits include:
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Low Cost: Alginate is much less expensive than traditional plastic, as it is derived from renewable sources and it is easily accessible.
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Durability: Alginate plastic is strong and durable, making it a suitable material for a range of applications in industries such as packaging, automotive and biomedicine.
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Environmental Benefits: The biodegradable nature of alginate plastic makes it a more eco-friendly option than other plastic materials, such as those derived from petroleum-based sources. It also does not release any toxins into the environment, unlike non-biodegradable plastics.
Disadvantages of Alginate Plastic
Despite its advantages, there are still some areas where the alginate plastic has room for improvement. These include:
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Limited Availability: Alginate plastic is still in its early stages of development, and it is not yet widely available on the market.
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Low Water-Resistance: Although alginate plastic is highly durable, it is not waterproof and it has low water resistance. This means that it is not suitable for applications which require a high level of water resistance.
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Cost: Although alginate is much less expensive than traditional plastic in some respects, it is still more costly than traditional alternatives in other areas, such as production and manufacturing.
The world’s first fully biodegradable plastic developed by the researchers from the University of Portsmouth offers numerous benefits over traditional petroleum-based plastics. These include its low cost, its durability and its environmental benefits, such as its biodegradable nature. Furthermore, the research could pave the way for the widespread use of biodegradable plastic as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. However, it is important to note that the alginate plastic is still in its early stages of development, and there are several areas in which it needs to be improved before it can be considered an economically sound solution to the global plastic pollution crisis.
