5 Gyres Institute
US science-and-advocacy nonprofit behind microplastics research and TrashBlitz community data. Donate online; 501(c)(3), Employer Identification Number 27-1350279.
Scientists
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Chitosan (shrimp and crab shell) films
Antimicrobial film-forming polymer derived from crustacean shells; promising for active food films but still at lab and early-pilot stage with no scaled producer.
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World Health Organization (WHO): microplastic exposure is real, evidence of harm in humans is still limited
The World Health Organization’s cautious 2022 review says people are exposed to plastic particles but data on health effects remain scarce.
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PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)
Bacteria-made polyesters that biodegrade in soil, fresh water and seawater; the only mainstream bioplastic family that does not depend on industrial composting.
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Mycelium (mushroom) foam
Agricultural waste bound together by fungal mycelium and grown in moulds; a home-compostable replacement for polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene (EPE) foam packaging inserts.
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Seaweed-based films and coatings
Films, sachets and grease-proof coatings made from farmed seaweed extracts; best for replacing thin plastic films, sachets and coatings on paperboard made with PE…
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Plastics’ carbon footprint doubled in 20 years as production moved to coal power
ETH Zurich researchers found plastics accounted for 4.5% of global emissions in 2015, with coal-based emissions quadrupling since 1995.
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The ‘450 years to degrade’ claim has no source; here is what is measured
The only systematic review of plastic degradation rates found an HDPE bottle would take about 58 years at sea for half of it to…
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Sewage sludge fertiliser leaves farmland with microplastics for decades
A 25-year field study found sludge application raised soil microplastic levels by up to 1,445%, persisting for at least 22 years.
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More than 1,000 tonnes of microplastic rain down on US national parks each year
Microplastic falls with rain and dust even in the most remote protected areas of the western United States.