New “living plastic” self-destructs in just 6 days without leaving microplastics
Researchers have developed a new type of 'living plastic' embedded with dormant bacterial spores that can fully decompose the material in six days. By engineering these microbes to produce specific enzymes, the plastic can break itself down into individual building blocks without leaving microplastics behind.
Why it matters
This innovation offers a potential solution to the global plastic pollution crisis by turning durable packaging into a programmable, biodegradable material.
Many plastic items are used for only a few minutes or hours, but the material can remain in the environment for decades or even centuries. Researchers are now exploring a different approach: plastics designed to break themselves down when activated.
The article reports on scientific research findings without political framing or subjective commentary.
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