• Question: Why is plastic not biodegradable?

    Asked by anon-336394 to Dan on 12 Oct 2022.
    • Photo: Dan Day

      Dan Day answered on 12 Oct 2022:

      Many plastics aren’t biodegradable because the chemistry used to make them is very strong and robust. This is useful in making very tough materials which can withstand harsh conditions. However, this does mean that at the end of their life, they are just stuck as they are.

      We are working to change the chemistry to something that can break apart into benign chemicals at the end of their life by being eaten by bacteria and/or/ enzymes

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