Bamboo-based plastic can be made to biodegrade quickly, but still holds up in tough conditions

A new bamboo-based plastic, reported in Nature Communications, combines strength with rapid biodegradation, breaking down in soil within 50 days, paving the way for sustainable alternatives.

• Researchers developed a strong biodegradable plastic from bamboo cellulose, which demonstrates comparable durability to traditional oil-based plastics.
• The innovative bioplastic can fully biodegrade in soil within just 50 days, a significant advancement for reducing plastic waste.
• This breakthrough offers a viable solution to the global plastic pollution crisis, potentially benefiting industries reliant on sustainable materials.
• The study, published in Nature Communications, showcases how bamboo's natural properties can be harnessed to create environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics.