This plant-based plastic is as strong as traditional petroleum-based plastic, but its properties can be tailored to suit ...

Scientists are turning to milk proteins, starch, and nanoclay to create biodegradable plastics that break down quickly in soil. As concerns grow about damage to the environment and potential risks to ...

Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan have one-upped themselves in their quest to solve our microplastic problem.

Cellulose-based plastics already exist, but most do not decompose quickly in marine environments. Others require industrial composting conditions. Aida and his team aimed to design a plastic that ...

Global plastic production has increased from 369 million tons in 2016 to 404.5 million metric tons in 2020, partly due to materials used in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Getty Images) FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — ...

A new biodegradable plastic from plant cellulose breaks down in seawater without microplastics. It may be a sustainable ...

It's time now for our regular science news roundup with our friends at NPR's SHORT WAVE podcast, Emily Kwong and Regina Barber. Hi, y'all. REGINA BARBER, BYLINE: Hi. EMILY KWONG, BYLINE: Hey. BARBER: ...

Strips of plain TPU (top) and "living" TPU (bottom) at different stages of decomposition over five months of being in compost. A new type of bioplastic could help reduce the plastic industry’s ...

KAWANISHI-CITY, Japan, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental problems such as climate change, global warming, deforestation, extinction of species, water shortage etc. due to explosion of human ...

Plastic that behaves like a sturdy fork on your picnic table and then quietly melts back into the soil sounds like science ...

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan have one-upped themselves in their quest to solve our microplastic problem. They report a new plant-based plastic made from ...