Pollution Management - Plastic Solutions by Jennifer Walton

Microplastic Clean-Up with Sponges

jwalton65 — 2023-10-19 18:52:54 UTC

"Scientists have developed synthetic sponges capable of extracting microplastics and nanoplastics from contaminated water." This innovation could work to remove microplastics at a smaller scale, but ultimately we need to stop using plastics to have a larger impact. Contributed by Mrs. Walton.

Enzymes That Can Break Down PETs

2023-10-19 19:01:26 UTC

"Polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases

Polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases (PETases) are a newly discovered and industrially important class of enzymes that catalyze the enzymatic degradation of polyethylene terephatalate (PET), one of the most abundant plastics in the world." The use of these enzymes could be super useful for dealing with the inevitable plastic waste in our society. This would be useful to apply to level 2. Contributed by Lola :)

rinaldielena089 — 2023-10-19 19:04:22 UTC

Recovery of Bleached Coral Reef

2023-10-24 19:03:33 UTC

"but we are happy to report that much of the bleached coral has regained its color. The reef seems to be on the road to recovery, although some corals will probably take a break from reproduction this fall while they rebuild their energy reserves."

Contributed by Alex

Ecovative Design plastic alternative

2023-10-26 18:20:24 UTC

Ecovative is a company that is hoping to use mycelium(mushrooms)to make plastic alternatives. The products that they create are completely biodegradable.

Contributed by Keira

2023-10-31 15:44:35 UTC

In 2016, a team of Japanese researchers discovered some microbes that break down plastics but they are quite slow and only work at a certain degree of temperature. Therefore, "the researchers isolated the genes coding for these plastic-digesting enzymes, allowing other bioengineers to combine and improve the pair— creating super-enzymes that could break down PET up to 6 times faster". However, we can’t rely solely on these tiny helpers to clean up our enormous mess. So we need to encourage ourselves to stop using plastics. contributed by susmita

Support Legislation to Curb Plastic Production and Waste

2023-10-31 18:24:56 UTC

"One such effort in the United States is the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, a comprehensive federal bill that aims to address the plastic pollution crisis, and there are a number of state level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation that makes plastic producers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging at the end of life" (Oceanic Society, 2023).

Contributed by Mel.