Are Biodegradable Plastics Truly Eco-Friendly? Unpacking the Facts for a Sustainable Future

Impact Characterization of Biodegradable PlasticsCredit: Piao, Z., Boakye, A. A. A., & Yao, Y. (2024). Environmental impacts of biodegradable microplastics. Nature Chemical Engineering, 1, 661–669. When you hear the word “biodegradable,” what comes to mind? Many of us assume biodegradable plastics are a perfect solution for reducing plastic pollution. However, these materials have complex environmental…

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Does Recycling Matter? The Revolutionary Lab That’s Changing Science

“Recycling is like a Band-Aid on gangrene,” says Dr. Max Liboiron, director of the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR) in Newfoundland. “The only mode of attack is to deal with a heavy decrease in the production of plastics, as opposed to dealing with them after they’ve already been created.” Dr. Liboiron’s research on microplastics interrogates the scientific method with feminist and anti-colonialist methodology.