A scientist created a biodegradable plastic made from cactus — and it dissolves in water in just a few days.
In a remarkable step toward solving the global waste crisis, researcher Sandra Pascoe Ortiz from the University of Valle de Atemajac in Mexico has developed a fully biodegradable plastic using the juice of the prickly pear (nopal) cactus.
Unlike conventional plastics that rely on petroleum and linger in ecosystems for centuries, this cactus-based alternative breaks down in soil in just a month and dissolves in water in a matter of days.
Most impressively, the material is completely non-toxic; its entirely natural chemical compounds are safe for both humans and wildlife to consume, eliminating the threat of microplastic poisoning in marine environments.
While the project began as a chemistry classroom experiment, it has quickly grown into a collaborative effort with the University of Guadalajara.
Currently transitioning from lab-scale trials to industrial applications, Ortiz and several corporate partners are testing its viability for mass production.
Scaling up this cactus-derived polymer could significantly curb the estimated 2.4 million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans each year, proving that natural alternatives are not only viable but essential for planetary recovery.
source: Snowden, S. Scientist In Mexico Creates Biodegradable Plastic From Prickly Pear Cactus. Forbes.