ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Sandia National Labs is working on new research that would allow plastics to self-destruct once they are no longer useful. The Environmental Protection Agency says plastics can take between 100 and 1,000 years to decompose, often fragmenting into smaller pieces over time in oceans, lands, wildlife, and even humans.
Stage 1 fire restrictions begin on the Lincoln National Forest
Sandia National Labs is now working on a solution called micro-encapsulation, where they build plastics that contain compounds that will help break them down on their own. Scientists at the labs say the breaking down process would not happen unless the plastic is exposed to a specific trigger. The research team will continue testing their method and is already reaching out to plastic manufacturers as potential partners.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico…..