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Scientists have figured out way to make algae-based plastic that completely decomposes (abcnews.go.com)

submitted 6 months ago by fukhueson@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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[-] DriftinGrifter@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 6 months ago

great wasnt the whole benefit of plastik that it doesent decompose tho?

[-] jj4211@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago

Depends on the use case.

Reading the article, it doesn't seem like it just disintegraties after 7 months, this material has to be under compositing conditions with a specific microbe due 7 months.

There are applications where this would probably be an unacceptable possibility, but I'd imagine the vast majority of single use plastics would be fine with this. Packaging may spend months or even years doing it's job, but it won't be under compost conditions during that time.

[-] filcuk@lemmy.zip 12 points 6 months ago

Not really. The reason plastic exploded in use is because it's cheap, durable, lightweight, and really versatile.
Look around you and consider what it would take to manufacture some plastic objects in another material.
Disposable things like packaging would be perfect to decompose after their lifetime is over.

[-] jj4211@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

I do wish there was a sign whether this would be realistically cheap or not. That is the key as to whether it could be single use plastics.

In terms of the process, it looks like for now it needs to land in a compost heap with a specific microbe. I am concerned about the practical chance of this particular plastic finding it's way to the special compost heap without getting mixed in with other plastics.