Researchers Develop 'Living Plastic' That Self-Destructs After Use
Researchers have created a new type of plastic, termed 'living plastic', which can completely break down after use. This innovative material contains dormant bacteria embedded within the plastic, which, when activated by heat and nutrients, release enzymes that dismantle the plastic from within. The material, made from polycaprolactone, behaves like ordinary plastic until activation, after which it degrades completely within six days. This development aims to address the issue of plastic waste accumulation by allowing short-lived plastics to disappear after use rather than persisting as waste. The research was conducted by Zhuojun Dai, Ph.D., at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT). 
