New Biodegradable Plastics Could Be Tossed into the Sea

CHICAGO–A biodegradable plastic that dissolves into nontoxic components in seawater could make it environmentally safe to ditch "disposable" forks, spoons, wraps and other such waste overboard from ships to free up valuable space.

"There are many groups working on biodegradable plastics, but we‘re one of a few working on plastics that degrade in seawater," said researcher Robson Storey, a polymer scientist at University of Southern Mississippi. "We‘re moving toward making plastics more sustainable, especially those that are used at sea."