Trigger Warning: Community contains mostly bad environmental news (not by choice!). Community may also feature stories about animal agriculture and/or meat. Until tagging is available, please be aware and click accordingly.

Aussie Zone Rules.

Golden rule - be nice. If you wouldn’t say it in front of your ~~grandmother~~ favourite tree, don’t post it.
No bigotry - including racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or xenophobia. You are allowed to denigrate invasive plants or animals.
Be respectful. Everyone should feel welcome here. Except invasive plants or animals.
No porn. Except photos of plants. Definitely not animals.
No Ads / Spamming. Except for photos or stories about plants and animals.
Nothing illegal in Australia. Like invasive plants or animals. Exotic microbes and invasive fungi also not welcome.
Make post titles descriptive with no swear words. Comments are a free for all using the above rules as a guide. Fuck invasive plants and animals.

Community and Server Info.

Banner Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/takver/14871864504/

Hosted in the Sydney Basin Bioregion on Gadigal land.
User community creation disabled - visit !meta@aussie.zone
Downvotes enabled
User signup enabled
Server Admin: @lodion@aussie.zone

/c/Aussie Environment acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

lodion@aussie.zone

Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone

Salt water-degradable plastics to help oceans (www.uq.edu.au)

submitted 1 year ago by Treevan@aussie.zone to c/environment@aussie.zone

1 comments fedilink hide all child comments

"Our oceans are being clogged by long-lasting plastic containers, bags and even microplastics - which pose a significant threat to ecosystems including millions of seabirds and mammals," Dr Qiao said.

The team is developing a range of high-value, customised seawater-degradable plastics using 3D-printing techniques developed by Dr Qiao's research group at AIBN, and polymeric materials generated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Dr Qiao said one technique they'll use, called ring-opening polymerisation, allows them to precisely control the mechanical strength and shape of the plastics while giving the plastics a low-toxic polyester 'backbone'.

Dr Qiao said the goal is to commercialise a new line of products in Australia and China within five years to replace traditional plastics and tap into a biodegradable market expected to exceed $9.5 billion by that time.

"Effective seawater-degradable polymer plastics will reduce plastic debris in oceans, boosting the health of ecosystems and the quality of life in communities around the world," she said.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] 1brokeguy@aussie.zone 7 points 1 year ago

Better to not use plastic at all.