SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 14, 2023 — Imagine using insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later — with the help of that very same type of bug. That concept is closer to ...

Biodegradable plastics are sold as a simple fix for a world drowning in packaging, but the reality is far messier than the marketing suggests. Labels that promise bags, cups, and utensils will ...

Global plastic production has increased from 369 million tons in 2016 to 404.5 million metric tons in 2020, partly due to materials used in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Getty Images) FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — ...

A thermoplastic form of chitosan retains biological activity, enabling molded biodegradable plastics that store enzymes or living microbes and break down pollutants while maintaining strength and ...

Researchers are optimizing the process of extracting chitin from black soldier fly carcasses, which can be used to synthesize biodegradable bioplastics. Using insects to make plastics that are ...

Biodegradable plastics are often marketed as a simple solution to the world’s plastic pollution crisis. From food containers to shopping bags, these materials promise to disappear naturally after ...

A group of European and American manufacturers of ‘oxo-biodegradable’ plastics have come together to form the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Federation (OBPF). The new federation officially launched on ...

Several new projects turn waste into food for microbes that create PHA, a type of plastic that fully decomposes on its own, offering a less costly alternative to current bioplastics. This fork made of ...

When you think about materials used in medicine, you likely picture metals, plastics, or synthetic gels. Researchers at the ...

Imagine using insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later with the help of that same type of bug. That concept is closer to reality than one might expect, according to ...

Plastic pollution is poisoning the planet. Some experts suggest making plastics from more "natural" materials, but research shows those still have risks. When you purchase through links on our site, ...