r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 20 '21

Chemistry Chemists developed two sustainable plastic alternatives to polyethylene, derived from plants, that can be recycled with a recovery rate of more than 96%, as low-waste, environmentally friendly replacements to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. (Nature, 17 Feb)

https://academictimes.com/new-plant-based-plastics-can-be-chemically-recycled-with-near-perfect-efficiency/
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u/arganost Feb 20 '21

Problem with alternatives like this is, even when they have a cost advantage the incumbent industry will use its economically entrenched position to block adoption of the alternative.

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u/visualdescript Feb 21 '21

This is where a competent government can show leadership and create in entives to changing.

We need to be able to make decisions that impact society based on things other than short term economics.