Scientists at UC San Diego develop biodegradable "living plastic" with bacterial spores that break down the material in compost.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego have created a biodegradable "living plastic" that houses bacterial spores which help it break down at the end of its life cycle. The material, a form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), is used in various products such as footwear, floor mats, cushions, and memory foam. The spores remain dormant during the useful lifetime of the plastic but spring back to life when exposed to nutrients in compost, breaking down the material. This innovative development could help mitigate plastic pollution in nature, and the spores may also increase the material's toughness.
April 30, 2024
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