In a significant breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution, researchers in Japan have developed a new type of plastic that dissolves in seawater within just a few hours. This innovation could offer a powerful solution to one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time—ocean pollution and the threat it poses to marine life.
There has been much research in search of biodegradable plastics by scientists, yet little significant progress has been achieved.The scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo have demanded that their new material degrades much faster and leaves no trace behind. In a demonstration at a laboratory in Wako City, near Tokyo, a small piece of the plastic was shown dissolving in a container of salt water after just an hour of stirring. In a demonstration at a laboratory in Wako City, near Tokyo, a small piece of the plastic was shown dissolving in a container of salt water after just an hour of stirring.
Although the team has not yet announced plans for commercial production, the project has already attracted interest from various industries, particularly in the packaging sector, according to project leader Takuzo Aida.
The urgency to address plastic waste is growing, with scientists around the world working on innovative alternatives to conventional plastics. Worldwide celebration of the environmental initiatives like the World Environment Day has helped the crisis bring into the light.The UN Environment Programme warns that plastic pollution could triple by 2040, dumping an estimated 23 to 37 million metric tons of waste into oceans each year.
According to Aida, the new plastic offers the same strength as traditional petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt. These components can then be further decomposed by naturally occurring bacteria, significantly reducing the risk of harmful microplastics entering the food chain.
The material also disintegrates in soil, thanks to the presence of salt. A piece measuring approximately five centimeters (two inches) can completely break down in just over 200 hours under such conditions.
The plastic retains all the functional benefits of regular plastic when given a protective coating. Aida’s team is currently focused on optimizing coating methods to ensure usability while maintaining environmental safety. Notably, the material is non-toxic, non-flammable, and does not emit carbon dioxide during degradation—making it a truly sustainable alternative.
With further development and industry collaboration, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize how we manage plastic use and waste in both marine and terrestrial environments.
