October 22, 2024
Over 20 million tons of plastic are estimated to end up in the environment every year, with much of it breaking down into microplastics that are harmful to the health of humans and wildlife. Biodegradable and bio-based plastics made from organic material are often touted as more sustainable alternatives, but until now, scientists haven’t had the tools to assess the impact of biodegradable plastics that are not disposed of properly.
A team of researchers from the Center for Industrial Ecology at the Yale School of Environment recently developed a valuable environmental impact assessment method to quantify the climate change and ecotoxicity impacts of biodegradable microplastics in the natural environment.