{"id":64381,"date":"2024-06-24T11:23:37","date_gmt":"2024-06-23T23:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=64381"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:56:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T00:56:03","slug":"most-plastics-are-made-from-fossil-fuels-and-end-up-in-the-ocean-but-marine-microbes-cant-degrade-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/most-plastics-are-made-from-fossil-fuels-and-end-up-in-the-ocean-but-marine-microbes-cant-degrade-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Most plastics are made from fossil fuels and end up in the ocean, but marine microbes can\u2019t degrade them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Marine plastic pollution is a massive environmental issue, with a plastic smog<\/a> of an estimated 170 trillion particles afloat in the world\u2019s oceans. This highlights how urgently we need to develop strategies to mitigate this environmental crisis.<\/p>\n\n

We know some microbes can break down certain plastics<\/a>, but our new study<\/a> finds no clear correlation between plastic pollution levels and the production of plastic-degrading enzymes by marine microorganisms.<\/p>\n\n

To address this issue, we need to understand the varying properties and environmental impacts of different types of plastic.<\/p>\n\n

\"Plastic
Close up of litter and Coke bottle on the beach. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Most plastics are not degradable<\/h2>\n\n

There are four main types of plastics: biodegradable, bio-based, fossil-based and non-biodegradable. The terms can be confusing and lead to misunderstandings about their environmental impact.<\/p>\n