Japanese Scientists Created Plastic that Melts in Salt Water

1. Scientists in Japan have created a new type of plastic. This plastic can break down safely when it touches salt water.
2. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems in the world today. This discovery could help reduce ocean pollution.
3. Our oceans are full of plastic waste. Tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, are now found in the food we eat.
4. Scientists have even found microplastics in the placentas of unborn babies and deep down in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean.

What Makes This Plastic Special?

1. This new plastic was made by scientists from the RIKEN Centre for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo.
2. It is as strong as regular plastic made from oil.
3. But unlike normal plastic, which can take 20 to 500 years to break down, this new plastic melts in salty water.
4. When placed in salt water, the plastic breaks into small parts.
5. These parts can be eaten by bacteria in the ocean.
6. The best part is that it does not leave behind harmful microplastics or nanoplastics.
7. In a lab test in Wako City near Tokyo, scientists showed how the plastic melted in salty water within an hour.
8. In soil, it takes about 200 hours to fully break down, because soil also has some salt.

Safe for Humans and Nature

1. This plastic is not only good for nature but also safe for people.
2. It is non-toxic, which means it does not harm humans.
3. It also does not catch fire easily and does not release carbon dioxide when it breaks down.
4. The plastic is not ready for regular use yet. But the scientists are working on a method to use it for packaging.

Why Do We Need This?

1. Plastic pollution is getting worse every year. The United Nations says that plastic waste in oceans may triple by 2040.
2. That means between 23 to 37 million tonnes of plastic could be added to the oceans every year.
3. India is one of the biggest contributors to this problem.
4. A report in the journal Nature says that India is responsible for about one-fifth of the world's plastic pollution.
5. Every year, India burns about 5.8 million tonnes of plastic. On top of that, around 2.5 million tonnes of plastic ends up in land, air, and water as waste.

Conclusion

The new plastic developed in Japan is a major breakthrough in the fight against pollution. It proves that science can offer us safer and more eco-friendly solutions. If this plastic is used on a large scale, it could play a big role in cleaning our oceans and keeping people healthy. However, we must still focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic in our daily lives.

Microplastics: Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, usually less than 5 millimeters in size. They come from broken-down larger plastic items or are made tiny on purpose, like the beads in some face washes and toothpastes. Microplastics are found almost everywhere in oceans, rivers, soil, the air, and even in the food we eat and the water we drink. Scientists have even found them in human bodies, including in lungs, blood, and even placentas of unborn babies.

 

Ensure IAS Mains Question: Q: Plastic pollution is a growing threat to marine ecosystems and human health. In this context, discuss the environmental significance of the new salt-water degradable plastic developed by Japanese scientists. (200 Word)

Ensure IAS Prelim MCQ Q. With reference to a newly developed plastic by Japanese scientists, consider the following statements: 1. This plastic breaks down in salt water without leaving microplastics or nanoplastics. 2. It is fire-resistant, non-toxic, and does not release carbon dioxide when it decomposes. 3. It takes less time to decompose in soil than in salty water. 4. Bacteria in the ocean can process the decomposed parts of this plastic. Which of the statements given above are correct? A. 1, 2 and 4 only  B. 1 and 3 only  C. 2 and 3 only  D. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: A Explanation: ● Statement 1 is correct: The plastic dissolves in salt water and does not leave behind harmful microplastics or nanoplastics. ● Statement 2 is correct: The plastic is non-toxic, fire-resistant, and does not release carbon dioxide. ● Statement 3 is incorrect: It takes longer to decompose in soil (~200 hours) compared to salty water (~1 hour). ● Statement 4 is correct: The broken-down parts can be processed by bacteria in the ocean.