Search

Describes an effort to find organisms that will attack synthetic plastics in waste disposal being carried out by Walter J. Nickerson of the Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University in the U.S. in 1968. Importance of adopting biodegradable polymers; Organisms found by Nickerson in dumps, including an unidentified slime responsible for the decay of synthetic rubber.

The article reports on the efforts of the plastic companies to develop plastic that breaks down after serving its purpose. It states the main reason for the development is to avoid and decrease environmental pollution. It reports on a Japanese corporation, Sukisui Chemical Co. which is testing a polystyrene foam that breaks down when kept under the sun for six hours. It reports that the main barrier in developing the degradable plastic is the cost of its development.