Degrading Plastics Revealed as Source of Greenhouse Gases

Researchers from the University of Hawai'i at M'noa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) discovered that several greenhouse gases are emitted as common plastics degrade in the environment.

Mass production of plastics started nearly 70 years ago and the production rate is expected to double over the next two decades.  While serving many applications because of their durability, stability, and low cost, plastics have deleterious effects on the environment.  Plastic is known to release a variety of chemicals during degradation, which has a negative impact on organisms and ecosystems.

The study, published Wednesday in PLOS ONE, reports the unexpected discovery of the universal production of greenhouse gases methane and ethylene by the most common plastics when exposed to sunlight.  The science team tested polycarbonate, acrylic, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) -- materials used to make food storage, textiles, construction materials, and various plastic goods.  Polyethylene, used in shopping bags, is the most produced and discarded synthetic polymer globally and was found to be the most prolific emitter of both gases.

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