Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative
WOBURN, Mass. (AP) — At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won’t leave…
At a Massachusetts lab, biodegradable forks and films are being produced from plant-based plastics to reduce environmental harm. CJ Biomaterials ferments sugar to create polymers that microbes can consume, providing an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based plastics. These bioplastics are seen as potential solutions to tackle global plastic pollution.
Lab technicians at CJ Biomaterials' Woburn facility recently molded thin forks from biodegradable pellets, though they are too flexible for rigorous use. Other batches resulted in rigid, conventional-looking forks. Meanwhile, they produced strong yet non-stretchy films for food packaging, such as trays for baby carrots.
The company is working on enhancing the properties of their biopolymers to create products with similar characteristics to conventional plastics while ensuring they can be composted instead of ending up in landfills. Forks, films, and even straws have been tested in the lab's composting bin, with the forks and films breaking down over time.
A recently added knife displayed signs of degradation, with bacteria colonizing its surface and starting to consume it. Traditional plastics have typically lasted for decades or centuries, breaking down into microplastics that have been found in the ocean, air, food, water, and even human tissues. The Trump administration, while continuing to roll back environmental regulations, has committed to addressing microplastic contamination.
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