Are Bioplastics Safe? What PLA Nanoplastics Do to Living Cells
Polylactic acid (PLA) is widely regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic. It is plant-derived, compostable, and used in everything from food containers to 3D…
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Insects vs Plastic: How Mealworms and Wax Moths Biodegrade Polymers
When we think of solutions to plastic pollution, insects are not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet a…
How Bacteria Eat Plastic: The Biochemistry of Biodegradation
Plastic pollution is everywhere — in oceans, soils, and even the air we breathe. But nature is not entirely defenseless.…
Transparent Cellulose-Glycerol Films: A New Option for Food Packaging
The search for sustainable food packaging has led researchers to an unlikely pairing: cellulose and glycerol. A 2024 study published…
From Soy Waste to Bioplastic Film: An Industrial Proof of Concept
Every year, the soy processing industry generates enormous volumes of whey, a protein-rich wastewater stream that is expensive to treat…
Closed-Loop PLA: High-Performance Bioplastics You Can Recycle Forever
One of the biggest criticisms of bioplastics has been the trade-off between sustainability and performance. Materials that biodegrade often lack…
DNA-Polysaccharide Hydrogels: Recyclable Bioplastics From Waste
Researchers have developed a novel family of DNA bioplastics that combine plant-derived polysaccharides with DNA extracted from natural sources to…
Ocean-Grown Bioplastics: The Rise of Algae-Based Materials
The global plastic crisis demands alternatives that do not compete with food production or drain freshwater supplies. Algae bioplastics are…
Managing Biodegradable Plastic Waste: Challenges and Opportunities
Biodegradable plastics are often presented as a straightforward solution to plastic pollution. But a comprehensive review published in Waste Management…