171 trillion plastic particles floating in oceans as pollution reaches "unprecedented" levels, scientists warn
CBSAUG 2023
As microplastics are now found littered throughout the seas, the Arctic, the air we breathe, and even in our blood, it's past time that we figured out a way to rid them from our planet. This discovery could lead to cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways of biodegradation, so hopefully, scientists are close to achieving this long overdue step in combatting pollution.
While innovation in biodegrading and biodegradable plastic is making headway, the goal of being able to instantly recycle or compost plastic is still far away. Throwing away excess food also hinders the goal, as food and plastic currently cannot be processed simultaneously and thus get thrown into landfill rather than biodegrading plants. Technology that allows people to biodegrade their plastic at home must be invented, or the majority of plastic will continue to end up in a landfill or floating in the sea.