British Firm Develops New Solution For Plastic to Self-Destruct in 2 Years

A British startup has developed a new solution that's making plastics self-destruct if they escape into the environment.

A Newsweek report specified that incorporating Polymateria's unique technology into plastic resins at the point of manufacture enables plastics to be recycled and provides a "biodegradable plan B" to those escaping to nature.

Essentially, the United Nations has approximated that 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced each year.

Furthermore, 32 percent of the plastic escapes collection systems, not to mention ends up in nature, with millions of tons that enter the ocean each year.

Biodegradable Plastics

As the plastics break down, they produce toxins and microplastics that animals and humans can ingest.

At present, compostable plastic is, at times, used to get around the problem. Nevertheless, it is typically less durable and not recyclable.

According to the spokesperson for Polymateria, Liepa Olsaukaite, recyclable plastics need stability. They need to be intact, as well.

Biodegradable plastics are disintegrating fast. Due to their differing properties, biodegradable plastics should be disposed of separately, necessitating a new waste disposal infrastructure.

In the majority of cases, they require significant energy inputs as well to break down entirely. One needs high temperatures actually to process compostable plastics, explained Olsauskaite.

Fossil Fuel and Plant-based Plastics Combined in Technology

The technology can be combined into both fossil fuel and plant-based plastics. They can be used, too, for a wide range of applications.

From takeout containers to cutlery to cups, to fashion bags and carrier bags, many different applications technology can be put in, so long as it is polypropylene or polyethylene plastics.

A similar Please My News report said the technology was recently demonstrated at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Runners were given recovery bags made from sugarcane-based polyethylene that contained the biotransformation technology of Polymateria, which the company said, are the first-plant-based, biodegradable, and recyclable bags of the world. For this technology to be integrated, there's no need for manufacturers to buy new machines or equipment.

Describing the technology, Olsauskait said it is extremely cost-effective since they are "adding the bespoke masterbatch at the point of manufacture."

100 Percent Renewable Material

Since the masterbatch is just a very small portion of the final product, the overall energy consumption for the production of plastic is comparable to that of a regular plastic bag, and the final product's price is just 10 to 15 percent costlier than conventional plastic.

The company's spokesperson also said that their goal is to switch brands and producers to 100 percent renewable material.

However, the stepping stone is switching manufacturers to conventional plastic with this technology. First, not all makers can immediately leap or switch to plant-based material.

Related information about self-destructing plastics is shown on Lifecycle's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Plastics in Science Times.