Researchers at Australia's Monash University have pioneered a method to convert food waste sugars into biodegradable plastics, offering a potential solution to the global single-use plastic crisis. The innovation uses natural polymers called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), produced by feeding specific soil bacteria a nutrient-rich diet derived from food waste.
Led by chemical engineer Edward Attenborough, the team created ultrathin plastic films as thin as 20 microns – comparable to cling wrap – that can be composted alongside organic waste. 'This isn't just recycling; it's reimagining materials from the ground up,' Attenborough told KhabarAsia. The films demonstrated flexibility and strength matching conventional plastics while remaining fully biodegradable.
The technology addresses two critical challenges: reducing the 400 million tons of plastic produced annually and repurposing food waste. By adjusting bacterial strains and growth conditions, scientists can tailor PHAs for specific applications ranging from food packaging to medical films.
With prototypes successfully tested, researchers are now collaborating with industry partners to develop commercial products. The breakthrough comes as governments worldwide implement stricter regulations on single-use plastics, creating new opportunities in the $8 billion bioplastics market.
