by Abhishyant Kidangoor, Mike DiGirolamo on 30 January 2024.
- Humanity produces roughly 400 million metric tons of plastic each year, yet only recycles or reuses 9%, at most, of all the plastic collected.
- The global waste crisis is evident in the immense amount of plastic trash that ends up polluting the land, water, atmosphere, wildlife, and even our bodies.
- While nations are currently locked in negotiations to design a global treaty meant to rein in plastic production and address plastic pollution, researchers are working to develop fully biodegradable and naturally occurring plastic polymers known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).
- In this episode of Mongabay’s “Problem Solved” video series, we take a look at how PHAs are made, and what else experts say needs to be done to combat the global plastic pollution crisis.
As the world struggles to contain plastic pollution, eco-friendly alternatives to plastics have garnered attention in recent years.
One example: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a naturally occurring bio-based polymer, have been touted as a potential solution. Biotechnology startups have enthusiastically embraced the functional and economic viability of this biodegradable product along with other alternatives, recognizing their potential to replace many household plastics, including the commonly used polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), both of which are manufactured from fossil fuels and used to make bottles, food containers, packaging, films, textiles and more.
Researchers at the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, have developed their own version of PHAs. It’s sourced from sugarcane and “won’t leave a legacy in any natural environment,” Steven Pratt, director of the center, told Mongabay. “It degrades easily in soil, freshwater and saltwater.”
Mongabay visited the Brisbane research facility to take a closer look at how PHAs are made and spoke with scientists about their potential applications.
While the potential for PHAs is promising, this plastic alternative faces development challenges, including its practicality and the need to rapidly scale up production.
Sources Mongabay spoke with emphasized that while dealing with plastic waste effectively is important, it’s vital that the world agree to a global plan to significantly reduce plastic production in the first place.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/IqyHr4ADR4A