Aussie Enviro

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An Australian community for everything from your backyard to beyond the black stump.

Topics may include Aussie plants and animals, environmental, farming, energy, and climate news and stories (mostly Aus specific), etc. New related communities will be split off when required, think like subcommunities that exist on that other platform.

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.

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/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

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

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

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"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.

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

Better to not use plastic at all.