Plastic Pollution in the News
Reducing the use of plastic is the best solution to the plastic pollution problem. But I'm tracking proposed innovations that could help tackle existing waste. The linked resources here explore emerging processes that may help, though their safety, viability, and scalability remain unproven.
Plastic Pollution Proposed Solutions
July 22, 2025 – Times of India
Plastic‑eating fungi could help clean up oceans, say scientists — scientists discover fungi that can naturally degrade synthetic plastics in freshwater environments.
June 24, 2025 – ITC
Natural plant extracts remove up to 90% of microplastics from water, — research
June 19, 2025 – Interesting Engineering
Okra and fenugreek extracts remove up to 90% of microplastics from polluted water
June 19, 2025 – SciTechDaily
Natural Plant Extract Removes up to 90% of Microplastics From Water
June 14, 2025 – ZME Science
This Plastic Dissolves in Seawater and Leaves Behind Zero Microplastics
June 14, 2025 – New Atlas
New plastic dissolves in the ocean overnight, leaving no microplastics
June 6, 2025 – YouTube (short film)
Japanese scientists produce plastic which dissolves in seawater within hours
June 5, 2025 – YouTube
Researchers in Japan develop plastic that dissolves in seawater
June 4, 2025 – Reuters (article)
Scientists in Japan develop plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours
June 4, 2025 – Reuters (video)
Japan invents ocean-safe plastics | REUTERS
June 4, 2025 – The Independent
New plastic that dissolves in seawater raises hopes for tackling ocean pollution
June 4, 2025 – Facebook (Science & Nature page)
This new plastic dissolves in seawater – no microplastics, no trace
June 4, 2025 – El Cabildo
Stop everything: Japanese researchers may have invented the end of polluting plastic in the ocean
June 4, 2025 – Ecoservants Project
Japanese Scientists Develop Plastic That Dissolves in Saltwater
April 10, 2025 – ACS Publications
Fenugreek and Okra Polymers as Treatment Agents for the Removal of Microplastics from Water Sources
March 27, 2025 – RIKEN Feature Highlight
Plastic-like materials that dissolve in the sea
March 19, 2025 – Moss and Fog
Japanese Researchers Develop Recyclable Plastic That Fully Dissolves in the Ocean
December 2024 – ScienceBlog.com
Scientists Create Plastic That Safely Dissolves in Seawater, Preventing Microplastic Pollution
November 22, 2024 – RIKEN (press release)
Bye‑bye microplastics: new plastic is recyclable and fully ocean‑degradable
June 2024 – Science (peer-reviewed article)
Mechanically strong yet metabolizable supramolecular plastics by desalting upon phase separation
Related Academic Papers on Microplastics and Environmental Impact
August 2023 – arXiv
A threshold model of plastic waste fragmentation
August 2023 – arXiv
Shape matters: long-range transport of microplastic fibers in the atmosphere
August 2020 – arXiv
In-situ analysis of small microplastics in coastal surface water samples of Okinawa, Japan
Reddit Discussion and Critical Commentary
June 2025 – r/science
Scientists in Japan develop plastic that dissolves in seawater
“It apparently dissolves into safe components that can be eaten by bacteria… Turns out it’s hard. Even if something should not be exposed to elements, often it is.”
June 2025 – r/Futurology
Japanese plastic dissolves in seawater – hope or hype?
“Fast-dissolving plastic offers hope… but environmental byproducts still need study.”
June 2025 – r/UpliftingNews
Breakthrough plastic dissolves in ocean, nourishes marine microbes
“They recovered 91% of one compound, 82% of another… dissolves in 1 hour in seawater, 10 days in soil.”
Other Plastic News
July 26, 2025 – The Guardian
Call to make wet‑wipe producers pay for polluting England’s waterways, says report — report urges adoption of a “polluter pays” model to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution from disposable wipes.
July 23, 2025 – The Guardian
‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks — investigation exposes how industry lobbying weakened global plastics treaty negotiations.
July 15, 2025 – The Washington Post
Which states are best, and worst, at tackling plastic pollution — new Ocean Conservancy report ranks U.S. states on plastic legislation and infrastructure.
July 2025 – Times of India
NFR to turn Guwahati railway station into fully plastic‑recyclable hub — pilot initiative will recycle daily station waste into reusable plastic onsite.