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Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology (2020–2023)

Abstract:
Globally, governments are implementing policies to drive a move to a circular economy. In the process, new materials are being introduced whose potential impacts need to be understood before they are widely used. This project pioneers investigations into the rate and extent of biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic and soil environments and the associated ecotoxicology of this process. In particular, it aims to quantify the extent to which the surfaces of these materials accumulate environmental pollutants via adsorption and other mechanisms. The outcomes will include conceptual models of biodegradation across environments, including lifetimes and likely impacts, critical information for framing a sustainable plastics industry.
Grant type:
ARC Discovery Projects
Researchers:

  • Professor Bronwyn Laycock

    Professor
    School of Chemical Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
    Professor
    School of Chemical Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

  • Professor Paul Lant

    Professor
    School of Chemical Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

  • Associate Professor Paul Dennis

    Associate Professor in Env Science
    School of the Environment
    Faculty of Science
    Associate Professor in Env Science
    School of the Environment
    Faculty of Science
    Affiliate of Centre for Horticultur
    Centre for Horticultural Science
    Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
    of School of Agriculture and Food S
    School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
    Faculty of Science

  • Associate Professor Steven Pratt

    Associate Professor
    School of Chemical Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
    Associate Professor
    School of Chemical Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

  • Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon

    Principal Research Fellow
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
    Principal Research Fellow
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
    Affiliate of Queensland Alliance fo
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Funded by:
Australian Research Council