The new invention of scientists

Plastic has been a blight on the landscape and a deadly threat to wildlife for decades.

Scientists have developed a form of biodegradable plastic. This means that the billions of plastic bags, cups, straws and utensils that we dispose of each day could be "compostable" - they could decompose and break down as naturally as organic waste. The scientists are from the University of California, Berkeley. They say they have invented a plastic that could break down within a few weeks, rather than centuries, using just heat and water. The new, biodegradable product involves embedding polyester-eating enzymes into the plastic during the production process. This provides nutrients for the soil when composted. Professor Ting Xu said up to 98 per cent of the plastic her team made degraded into small molecules.