New type of plastic in Australia biodegrades in the ocean faster than paper

Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking solution to the pervasive plastic pollution crisis. A common bioplastic, cellulose diacetate (CDA), has been found to degrade significantly faster in marine environments than other plastics, and a simple modification can accelerate this process even further.

CDA, a versatile material used in everything from sunglasses to cigarette filters, has existed for over a century. However, recent research by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has revealed its potential as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics.

By incorporating a foaming process, CDA’s degradation rate in seawater can be increased by a remarkable 15 times. This means that it breaks down faster than even paper, offering a promising solution to the problem of plastic pollution.

“This is a significant breakthrough in a field that often focuses on the negative aspects of plastic pollution,” said Collin Ward, a senior author of the study. “We’ve developed a material that meets consumer needs and actively contributes to a cleaner ocean.”

In controlled laboratory experiments, CDA foam placed in seawater tanks lost a substantial portion of its mass within 36 weeks. This is in stark contrast to other common plastics, such as Styrofoam, which showed no signs of degradation during the same period.

The research team, which included scientists from WHOI, conducted their experiments in a simulated ocean environment to accurately replicate real-world conditions. By controlling factors like light, temperature, and water flow, they were able to obtain reliable data on the degradation rates of various plastics.

The findings of this study build upon previous research by WHOI, which compared the degradation of different types of straws made from CDA, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), and paper. The results consistently demonstrated the superior biodegradability of CDA, especially when foamed.

With this breakthrough, there is renewed hope for developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly plastic alternatives. By harnessing the natural degradation properties of CDA, researchers and industry leaders can work together to create a cleaner and healthier future for our oceans.