By Faridat Salifu
A new biodegradable material made from plant cellulose may soon replace single-use plastics, offering an innovative solution to reduce plastic pollution.
Scientists, led by Noriyuki Isobe from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, have created a waterproof material that mimics plastic’s transparency and durability but breaks down much faster in the environment, particularly in oceans.
The process involves treating cellulose, the primary component of plant cell walls, with a lithium bromide solution.
This method allows the cellulose to be shaped into various forms, such as cups and straws, without the need for chemicals typically required in the production of cellophane.
This breakthrough enables the creation of a material that is strong, waterproof, and capable of holding hot liquids without leaking for extended periods.
The material can also be coated with a fatty acid salt derived from plants to enhance its waterproof properties, and it can be produced from upcycled cellulose, including recycled clothing, making it a highly sustainable choice.
Tests on the material’s environmental impact showed promising results: it completely decomposes in the ocean within 300 days, with even faster degradation in shallow waters.
This development offers an exciting opportunity to tackle the growing environmental problem of plastic waste, especially in marine ecosystems.
Despite the potential of this new material, some experts, like Bhavna Middha from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, caution against widespread use of single-use products, even if they are biodegradable.
She suggests that these products should be reserved for essential uses, such as in healthcare, to ensure they serve a necessary purpose and don’t contribute to unnecessary waste.
Source: newscientist.com
