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Your search for “Biodegradable Plastic” returned 24 results

A Step Up

The world’s first biodegradable shoe is from UC San Diego.

Sustainable Sneakers: UC San Diego Scientists Create the World’s First Biodegradable Shoe

…Create the World’s First Biodegradable Shoe Stephen Mayfield, Michael Burkart and Robert Pomeroy to launch their algae-based shoes through the company Blueview Stephen Mayfield, a molecular biology professor at UC San Diego, now has a stake in the business of footwear alongside partners Michael Burkart and Robert Pomeroy from the…

A Sea Change for Plastic Pollution: New Material Biodegrades in Ocean Water

Seeking solutions to counteract a rapid rise in plastic trash, scientists at UC San Diego have developed biodegradable material that is designed to replace conventionally used plastic. In a new study, an interdisciplinary team of researchers has shown that the material biodegrades in seawater.

Biodegradable ‘Living Plastic’ Houses Bacterial Spores That Help It Break Down

A new type of bioplastic could help reduce the plastic industry’s environmental footprint. Researchers have developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filled with bacterial spores that, when exposed to nutrients present in compost, germinate and break down the material at the end of its life cycle.

Say Hello to Biodegradable Microplastics

Finding viable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics and microplastics has never been more important. New research from scientists at UC San Diego and Algenesis shows that their plant-based polymers biodegrade — even at the microplastic level — in under seven months.

Energizing Plastics Renewability, Recycling Efforts

Research proposals by Professors Michael Burkart and Jon Pokorski were selected for funding as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Plastics Innovation Challenge to accelerate energy-efficient plastics recycling technologies.

New Science Behind Algae-based Flip-flops

…Science Behind Algae-based Flip-flops Biodegradable shoes meet commercial standards for products needed to help eradicate tons of plastic waste Commerical-quality biodegradable flip-flops. Photo courtesy of Stephen Mayfield, UC San Diego. As the world’s most popular shoe, flip-flops account for a troubling percentage of plastic waste that ends up in landfills,…

UC San Diego Awarded $2 Million to Advance Algae-based Renewable Polymers

UC San Diego scientists have been granted $2 million to develop new methods for manufacturing products based on algae. Biologist Stephen Mayfield will lead efforts to develop novel platforms to produce biologically based monomers that will be used to manufacture renewable and biodegradable products.

Rethink, Rewrite, Redefine—How Biodegradable Plastics Are Reshaping Sustainability

Researchers at UC San Diego have spent many years developing a biodegradable plastic alternative made from algae. A new book, published by Elsevier, details the basic science of creating bio-based polymers, lifecycle assessments and a techno-economic analysis.

You Can Eat That Fork

…from using or selling plastic cutlery. Last year, the Indian capital of Delhi banned all plastic bags entirely. These decisions are part of a growing concern about the fact that plastic doesn’t just disappear when it’s thrown in the trash—it can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to long-term…