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Scientists in Japan have developed plastic that dissolves within hours in seawater

Researchers in Japan developed a plastic which dissolves in the seawater in just a few hours. This could be a solution to a problem that is destroying oceans today and harming animals.

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science at the University of Tokyo claim that their new material breaks up much faster and leaves no residue trace.

The team showed that a piece of plastic vanished from a container of salted water after stirring it for an hour.

The team's research, according to project leader Takuzo Aida, has drawn a lot of interest from the packaging industry.

World Environment Day, which takes place on June 5, is a campaign that encourages awareness of the plastic waste crisis.

UN Environment Programme predicts that plastic pollution will triple by 2040. This would add 23-37 millions metric tons to the oceans every year.

"Children can't choose where they want to live." Aida stated that it is our responsibility as scientists to leave them the best possible environment.

Aida says the new material has the same strength as petroleum-based materials, but it breaks down to its original components upon exposure to salt. These components can be further processed using naturally occurring bacteria. This avoids the generation of microplastics which can harm aquatic life or enter the food supply. He added that salt is present in soil and a five centimetre (two inch) piece will disintegrate on land in over 200 hours.

Aida explained that the material can be coated to make it look like regular plastic. The team is currently concentrating their research on the most effective coating methods. He added that the plastic was non-toxic, not flammable and did not emit any carbon dioxide. Reporting by Irene Wang, Editing by John Geddie & Lincoln Feast.

(source: Reuters)