Every day, the average American churns out a lot of plastic garbage that takes forever to decay. Over time, the nearly-indestructible waste piles up and contaminates the surroundings, causing serious harm to the environment and human health.
This prompted Irish researchers to look for a way to manage the ever-growing mountains of plastic waste we generate. In a University College Dublin news article, they produced a biodegradable plastic that can be broken down by any composting technique.
Using this new material will help cut down on persistent plastic waste. When combined with other efforts, such as recycling, it could reduce the load on landfills and the garbage that litters beaches and shores.
For example, millions of plastic bottles are manufactured, used, and thrown away each day. Less than 15 percent of the disposable products get recycled. The vast majority ends up in landfills or the environment.
In Ireland alone, plastic pollution clogs up more than 80 percent of its coasts and inland waterways. The garbage is dangerous to both wild animals and human beach-goers. (Related: A cheaper alternative? Scientists looking at converting plastic waste into hydrogen fuel.)
New mixture of biodegradable plastics can be composted in your home
A research group led by the University College Dublin (UCD) blended several biodegradable plastics. They reported that the resulting material could be broken down by composting conditions found in any home.
The new plastic is the result of experimentation with 15 different biodegradable predecessors. It is intended to be used as a commercial plastic with the bonus of not needing landfills or other specialized means of breaking it down.
According to UCD researcher Kevin O’Connor, their blend is made up of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. The former is one of the most widely-used biodegradable plastics; however, it is also only compostable in specific industrial conditions.
The new mixture degrades much easier and faster than its components. In tests that simulated the conditions of a compost bin found in an American home, the plastic was fully consumed within two months.
O’Connor further noted that anaerobic microorganisms could digest the plastic. The bacteria would then produce biogas, a renewable and cleaner fuel.
“Imagine putting your waste plastic packaging into a household composting bin that breaks down the plastic and produces compost for your garden,” he explained. “Or if waste collection companies were able to mix what’s in your brown bin with plastic spoiled by unavoidable food waste and produce biogas to run their fleet or power your home, that’s the future this study suggests.”
O’Connor’s fellow researcher, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) professor Dr. Ramesh Babu, noted that their results proved the possibility of blending plastics to achieve greater biodegradability. At the same time, the blend also retained the prized characteristics of its component plastics.
https://www.brighteon.com/5850376620001
Biodegradable plastics are only one part of the solution to plastic pollution
However, of the 15 biodegradable plastics tested by the UCD-TCD team for blending, only two could be decomposed entirely by environmental factors like soil bacteria and water. Other biodegradables needed much more forceful means.
Given these realities, O’Connor warned that biodegradable plastics were not a standalone answer for the problem posed by post-consumer plastic waste. Indeed, be it biodegradable or non-biodegradable, plastics need to be regulated to reduce pollution while maintaining their usefulness.
Experts believe that as much as 12.5 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. These pollutants are eaten by fish, seabirds, and other wildlife. When humans consume these animals for food, they also ingest the plastic contaminants, which can harm their health.
Find out the role you play in reducing plastic pollution at Pollution.news.
Edsel Cook
Sources include:
UCD.ie
Pubs.ACS.org
DrEddyMD.com
Related Posts
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin) #Biological #Medicine #videos http://bit.ly/2LF3Ro3, Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
We are affiliated The Wellness Company https://bit.ly/3V726zc
The Wellness Company Coupon for membership, supplements, doctor appointment, online consultation https://bit.ly/3V5NsIy
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get commission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 