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A Multiphase Solution to Microplastic Pollution: Integrating Enzymatic Degradation, Density Separation, and Biodegradable Innovation
Summary
This paper proposes a multiphase solution to microplastic pollution combining enzymatic degradation with innovative filtration technologies, arguing that integrating biological and physical treatment approaches is necessary to address the persistence of microplastics from single-use plastic waste.
Plastic pollution, especially microplastics, poses a growing threat to ecosystems, food safety, and human health. Since over half of global plastic production is single-use, these materials persist in the environment. Our proposed solution emphasizes enzymatic degradation and innovative filtration. Entropic Materials developed biodegradable chaperone proteins that safeguard enzymes during plastic production, enabling rapid breakdown without generating microplastics. We also propose: (1) density separation systems in water treatment plants, (2) genetically modified Honey Fungus Mycelium to degrade plastics in fertilizers, and (3) hybrid biodegradable packaging from bamboo, sugarcane, and Japanese knotweed. Together, these strategies could reduce microplastics by 80%.
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