How can we fix our plastic waste problem? - BBC News

Overview: Why the “plastic problem” is bigger than production

The subtitles argue that plastic has serious negative environmental impacts, but it is also a remarkably useful material—so widespread that nearly all plastic ever made still exists in some form.

Because of this, solving the problem requires more than stopping new production. It also means:

• Dealing with plastic already in the world
• Finding practical alternatives that reduce long-term harm

Solution Example: Biodegradable plastic replacements (Polymateria)

A key example of proposed solutions is biodegradable plastic replacements from companies like Polymateria. The materials are designed to:

• Look and feel similar to conventional plastic initially (same appearance and texture)
• Transform under specific conditions—such as heat, air, moisture, and sunlight

How the material is described to work (three core steps)

1. Time control: the material’s “self-destructing” behavior can be tuned during manufacture, shifting state within weeks—from a plastic-like form to a wax-like form.
2. Microbial/biological draw-in: the resulting wax interacts with microbes, fungi, and bacteria.
3. Return to nature: the material is intended to biodegrade fully back into the environment in less than a year, compared to the persistence of microplastics.

Target applications beyond packaging

The subtitles emphasize real-world use cases beyond obvious packaging, aiming to replace plastic in products such as:

• Food packaging
• Cups
• Face masks
• Women’s hygiene products
• Wipes
• Diapers
• Tea bags

They also note that different products may require different biodegradation timelines.

Alternative biotech route: Enzyme-driven plastic breakdown (Epoch Biodesign)

The coverage contrasts the replacement approach with another biotechnology route—plastic breakdown through enzymes—represented by Epoch Biodesign, founded by Jacob Nathan (22).

This approach aims to:

• Use enzymes designed to break down plastic waste
• Convert breakdown chemicals into new materials and products, such as:
  • paints
  • coatings
  • fertilizers
  • cleaning products
• Potentially enable manufacturing new plastics again

Why low-temperature chemistry is a claimed advantage

A stated advantage is that biology can drive chemical reactions at low temperatures and pressures, making breakdown and reprocessing more feasible.

The “two sides” of the challenge (and no single fix)

The segment concludes the issue has “two sides”:

• Society produces far too much plastic
• Even if production stopped, there would still be vast existing stock (cited as roughly 10 billion tons), requiring strategies for disposal and reuse of legacy waste

It ends with the idea that there’s no “silver bullet”—but multiple alternatives are being developed.

Presenters or contributors

• Jacob Nathan (Epoch Biodesign, founder)