Plastic Alternatives: Testing Which Material Breaks Down Fastest
- Science Holic
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Author: Bryan Lin
Editor: Sophia Chen
Artist: Esther Chen
Plastic emerged as a revolutionary material in the mid-20th century, providing durability and convenience while being cost-effective. Initially developed to conserve natural resources and to meet industrial demands, plastic seemed like the perfect solution to many manufacturing and packaging challenges. However, what began as an innovative response to resource scarcity has transformed into a global environmental crisis that threatens our oceans and wildlife.
Today, plastic production has evolved from necessity to convenience, where quantity and cost-effectiveness are valued more than quality and sustainability. Plastic’s versatility and cheap-to-produce price tag not only allows but entices companies to mass-produce single-use plastic items because it is the cheapest method to make profit. This shift from innovation to profit-driven excess has led to staggering statistics: every year, more than 380 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, with less than 9% being recycled, according to the The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD for short). The remainder either clogs our landfills, pollutes our oceans, or breaks down into microplastics that have now been found in the most remote corners of our planet and sometimes even our drinking water.
The environmental impact of plastic is also a significant concern. Marine life struggles with plastic entanglement by derelict fishing gear (lost and discarded gear that is no longer under the control of a commercial or recreational fisher) and ingestion and blockages caused by accidentally consuming microplastics. Microplastics can also accumulate in our soil, significantly impacting soil health by altering its physical structure, disrupting the microbial community (based on the chemical composition of the microplastics), and directly harming soil organisms like earthworms which can lead to potential disruptions in the overall ecosystem. Additionally, according to the United Nations environmental program, researchers in Germany “ say [that] terrestrial microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution – estimated at four to 23 times higher, depending on the environment.” (UNEP). This is quite alarming, seeing just how much plastic pollution is in our oceans and then knowing that it is 4-23 times worse on land. But how can we move past our dependency on plastic goods?
The answer to that question lies in the several plastic alternatives already finding their way onto our markets. Some restaurants, for example, are switching to paper plates instead of plastic and testing out alternative straw materials. Scientists are developing sustainable substitutes, including water-soluble seaweed packaging and decomposable mycelium materials that work with nature rather than harm it. An example of a plastic alternative is Bagasse, or sugarcane fiber. In industrial composting facilities, under consistent moisture, proper aeration, and active microbial presence, Bagasse can decompose in under 90 days, leaving a nearly invisible mark on the environment due to its natural makeup. The aforementioned seaweed and mycelium both can degrade in a month and a half, while acting as plastic packaging and Styrofoam replacement respectively.
Although seemingly an insurmountable challenge, the pieces for a plastic-free future are all falling into place in the form of sustainable alternatives. These alternatives not only address the immediate crisis of plastic pollution but also benefit our environment instead of harming it. Now the challenge lies with the ability of our society to embrace change and accept these alternatives to replace plastic.
Citations:
"Derelict Fishing Gear." NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/types/derelict-fishing-gear. Accessed 21
Feb. 2025.
"History and Future of Plastics." Science History Institute,
plastics/history-and-future-of-plastics/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
"Microplastics." National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
"Plastic Pollution Is Growing Relentlessly as Waste Management and Recycling Fall Short."
OECD, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 22 Feb. 2022,
relentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.html. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
"Plastic Planet: How Tiny Plastic Particles Are Polluting Our Soil." United Nations
Environment Programme, www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/plastic-planet-how-
tiny-plastic-particles-are-polluting-our-soil. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
"The Fastest Biodegradable Material." Made with Regen, made-with-regen.ca/blog/fastest-
biodegradable-material/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
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