This New 'Bamboo Bioplastic' That Outperforms Traditional Plastic Breaks Down In Just 50 Days

This New 'Bamboo Bioplastic' That Outperforms Traditional Plastic Breaks Down In Just 50 Days

This New 'Bamboo Bioplastic' That Outperforms Traditional Plastic Breaks Down In Just 50 Days Plastic has become such a ubiquitous material in our daily lives because, up until recently, there hasn’t really been anything like it. It’s strong and durable, relatively cheap to make, and easy to shape into almost anything. The downside? It is wreaking havoc on the planet. Made with fossil fuels, oil-based plastics not only have a large environmental footprint in their assembly, but also take decades — or even centuries — to decompose once thrown out.  Plus, as they slowly break down, they can release harmful microplastics and toxic chemicals into the air and waterways. It’s no wonder, then, that researchers around the globe have been working on ways to create “bioplastics,” or plastic-like materials made out of biodegradable components. Bamboo could unlock a whole new world of "bioplastics." Photo by Sophia Ayame/Unsplash Researchers at China’s Northeast Forestry University and…