Scientists work to turn microbes into vanishing bioplastics to tackle plastic waste

Scientists are working to develop bioplastics that break down in land and water to tackle the growing issue of plastic waste.

Researchers from Murdoch University in Western Australia are focusing on single-use plastic waste, particularly those used in food packaging.

These new materials utilize native microbes to create environmentally safe alternatives to conventional plastics, said a statement from Murdoch University published on the Science Media Exchange website on Friday.

With over 80 percent of Australian food packaging ending up in landfills and being unrecyclable, both industry and consumers are calling for greener alternatives. The project is led by the Bioplastics Innovation Hub (BIH), a joint initiative between Murdoch University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization – Australia's national science agency.

"We're looking at plastics that are biodegradable and environmentally benign as in they're not having any impact on the environment," said BIH Director Daniel Murphy.

BIH's approach harnesses bacteria that store organic molecules, which can be converted into biodegradable plastics, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics that persist in the environment for a long time.