NEW PLASTIC MATERIAL DISSOLVES IN SALT WATER

NEW PLASTIC MATERIAL DISSOLVES IN SALT WATER

A groundbreaking innovation has emerged from Japan: a new plastic material that completely dissolves in seawater. Developed by researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo, this plastic is expected to revolutionize the fight against plastic pollution. Unlike conventional plastics that persist in the environment for hundreds of years, this material decomposes into harmless monomers within hours in saltwater and within ten days in soil. Given that the technology has already been tested and proven effective, the only question that remains is how it will be marketed and distributed globally.

The Marketing Challenge

Who will take charge of commercializing this new plastic? There is already a significant global demand for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. Countries and businesses are desperate for sustainable solutions, and it is unlikely that anyone will object to its adoption. The real issue is how it will be integrated into existing supply chains. Most likely, it will be sold in the same way as conventional plastics—either in the form of resins or powders. Manufacturers of finished products will then mold it into various shapes according to their needs. Alternatively, it could be sold in sheets or blocks, allowing factories to melt and mold it into different forms.

Regulatory Questions

A critical concern is whether regulators in importing countries will require additional testing. Given that conventional plastics are already causing significant harm to the environment, should this new material be subjected to the same rigorous testing? One would hope that the urgency of the plastic pollution crisis would encourage regulatory bodies to fast-track its approval. After all, what harm could this biodegradable plastic do compared to conventional plastics that persist indefinitely in our oceans and landfills?

The Role of the Philippines

Looking ahead, government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should begin exploring how the Philippines can benefit from this innovation. Instead of remaining a mere consumer of foreign-developed materials, the country should invest in research and development to manufacture products using this new plastic. Congress should allocate more funding to these agencies to boost local innovation in sustainable materials.

One immediate action the government could take is to require manufacturers to transition their packaging to this new material. Single-use plastics, particularly sachets, are a major source of pollution in the Philippines. If this new plastic can replace sachet packaging, it could significantly reduce the country’s environmental footprint. Additionally, research should be conducted to determine if the material is suitable for use in diapers, another major contributor to landfill waste.

Policy Considerations

How will this innovation impact existing laws and regulations on plastic use? Should the government revisit policies on one-way bottles? With the availability of a biodegradable alternative, is it now preferable to use this new plastic instead of glass bottles? These are critical questions that policymakers must consider as they shape the future of sustainable packaging in the country.

Let’s Take Action

Given the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, the Philippine government should act swiftly. One immediate step is to instruct the Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo to engage with the researchers and manufacturers behind this innovation. Establishing direct communication could open opportunities for partnerships and technology transfer.

Moreover, the country should explore the potential for manufacturing products using this new plastic. With the right investment and policy support, the Philippines could become a leader in producing sustainable plastic alternatives for the global market. This is not just an environmental necessity—it is also an economic opportunity.

The advent of dissolvable plastic presents a turning point in our fight against plastic pollution. The question now is not whether the material works, but how quickly the world, including the Philippines, can adopt it. The time for action is now.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

05-04-2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES? When we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, we often assume that the figures we see are accurate reflections of reality. But have we ever paused to ask—how exactly is the crime rate computed? Where does this data come from, and how reliable is it? The computation of the crime rate in the Philippines is officially handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The formula itself is straightforward: Crime Rate = (Total Reported Crimes / Total Population) x 100,000 This simple equation gives us the number of crimes per 100,000 people, allowing for fair comparison across regions and time periods. However, the reality behind these numbers is more complex than it appears. Data from the Ground The foundation of our national crime rate is empirical data collected at the grassroots level—from individual police stations scattered across the country. Every reported crime is logged in local police blotters, forming the buil...
Read more

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS Dear Mr. President: May I ask who is going to be the arbiter or referee whenever there are overlaps in functions between two or more government agencies? I imagine that there would be no problem if these agencies would just cooperate and collaborate with each other, but what if they are unable to settle their differences and they would just end up throwing blame at each other or finger pointing at each other? Allow me to cite some examples. Who is supposed to take the lead in waste to energy projects? Is it supposed to be the DENR that is supposed to handle waste? Or is it supposed to be the DOE that is supposed to handle energy generation? Or is it supposed to be the DILG since it is the one that could direct or influence the waste to energy projects of LGUs? Who is supposed to take the lead in producing and promoting the use of biofuels? Is it supposed to be the DA, since the production of biofuels is supposed to be all about planting biofuel ...
Read more

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES As it is supposed to be, anyone in the Philippines should be able to dial 911, and a telephone operator should be able to dispatch fire, rescue, ambulance and police (FRAP) units as soon as possible, based on acceptable response times. I invented the FRAP acronym for easy recall, and I hope it sticks, if there is no other alternative. Unfortunately, due to a mixture of technical and political reasons, the Philippines has not adopted 911 as a national number, because some LGUs would rather use their own three-digit numbers such as 117 and 168. I actually proposed a technical solution to that problem, but it was not adopted either. For whatever it is worth, my solution is to install a call forwarding system that could route all calls to a central operator, regardless of what number is dialed. It is very sad for me to know that up to now, even if our country is already over one hundred years old, there are still many LGUs that do not have fire trucks. it ...
Read more