The Conversation: Researchers develop biodegradable, plant‑based packaging from natural fibers – new research . “That serendipitous finding in 2014 shifted my team of engineering students’ focus from color to packaging. We asked whether natural materials could rival the performance of common plastics. In the years since, our team has used this discovery to create biodegradable films that […]

Northeastern University: Biodegradable technology can dissolve into harmful microplastics, Northeastern research uncovers. “Northeastern University researchers have discovered that materials used in the development of transient electronics — devices designed to biodegrade at the end of their life — can break down into microplastics, casting doubt on the true dissolvability of these devices […]

#environment #pollution #wipes #cottonwipes #babywipes #degradation #biodegradation #biodegradability

Original open access article

Allison et al. 14 Nov, 2025; Environ Pollut 2026/388:127376

Degradation of cellulose-based wet wipes marketed as ‘biodegradable’ in their receiving urban rivers

"Despite early-stage degradation, most wipes persisted after five weeks, challenging their biodegradability claims."

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127376

University of British Columbia: The future is compostable. Period.. “The pads are fully compostable, contain no plastic, and break down within two months…. The pads have passed tests for absorbency, skin safety and ability to be composted, and the first wholesale batch has been sold.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/09/18/university-of-british-columbia-the-future-is-compostable-period/

Seoul National University: Disappearing electronics: Biodegradable fiber electronics offer solution to e-waste and textile pollution. “Led by Professor Seung-Kyun Kang and Dr. Jae-Young Bae, the team has developed a fully biodegradable, high-performance conductive fiber that can be seamlessly integrated into wearable electronics and naturally decompose after use. The study was published in […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/07/19/disappearing-electronics-biodegradable-fiber-electronics-offer-solution-to-e-waste-and-textile-pollution-seoul-national-university/

University of Southampton: Big leap forward for environmentally friendly ‘e-textiles’ technology. “A research team led by the University of Southampton and UWE Bristol has shown wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) can be both sustainable and biodegradable.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/01/03/university-of-southampton-big-leap-forward-for-environmentally-friendly-e-textiles-technology/

Controversial take. #biodegradability is only a value in a disposable, use once and throw away style economy. It is an attempt to make utterly unsustainable consumer capitalism of disposables kinda work to keep producing things that break to be thrown away over and over.

Indestructible things designed to last, with NO end-of-life don't need to be biodegradable. Things that you would pass to your children.

In "Hyperion" there were ancient pieces of electronics that obviously worked. That's what we should be doing.

#solarpunk

The Commission's proposal for the revision of the #Detergents Regulation lacks ambition.

The new Regulation should respond to the EU’s #ZeroPollution goal

#biodegradability #microplastics #phosphorus

If this Regulation truly wants to be future-proof, it should aim to at least reach the levels set out in the Ecolabel criteria that have proved feasible and successful in the market.

Read more: https://www.eureau.org/resources/position-papers/7290-eureau-position-on-the-detergents-regulation/file