Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins in nature break down on their own over time, but plastic remains for hundreds of years and pollutes the environment. A U.S. research team, focusing on this point, developed a new plastic technology that mimics nature's decomposition principles.
Researchers at Rutgers University in the United States said they developed plastic that breaks down on its own under everyday temperatures and conditions and can even be set with a lifespan by product. The findings were published on the 28th in the international journal Nature Chemistry.
The study began when Rutgers University professor Yuwei Gu was hiking in a state park in New York. Seeing numerous discarded plastic bottles in the forest and lake, Gu wondered, "Polymers made by nature break down on their own, so why don't plastics made by humans do the same?"
Gu found the difference in the chemical structure. Natural polymers have built-in small auxiliary structures that weaken bonds and aid decomposition, but plastics have very strong chemical bonds holding the molecules together, so they do not break down easily. This simple structural difference leads to the plastic waste problem.
The team found the answer to the plastic problem in nature's approach. They designed the structure by pre-positioning auxiliary devices inside the plastic that induce decomposition. Just as pre-folded paper tears easily at the crease, the material remains sturdy in normal use but breaks its bonds rapidly when a specific trigger is activated.
As a result, plastics made this way biodegraded thousands of times faster than conventional materials in everyday environments such as room temperature or sunlight, without high heat or chemicals.
The key to this technology is that the rate of decomposition can be controlled. By adjusting the placement of the auxiliary devices within the structure, the plastic can be made to disappear within days or endure for years. The team also implemented a switch function so it decomposes only when exposed to ultraviolet light or metal ions.
"The precise spatial placement of the auxiliary devices dramatically changes the decomposition rate," Gu said. "We can make plastics that last as long as needed and then disappear."
The researchers said the technology could not only solve the plastic problem but also lead to a range of advanced materials. It could be used in capsules that automatically release drugs over time, self-vanishing coatings or surface treatments, and smart packaging with adjustable duration.
The team is also conducting follow-up studies to closely analyze how the developed plastic affects ecosystems and the human body. Early experiments showed that the liquid formed after decomposition was non-toxic, but further confirmation is underway.
At the same time, they are reviewing whether the technology can be applied to existing plastic production processes and whether it can be mixed with current industrial plastics. They are also pursuing collaboration with plastic manufacturers for commercialization.
"Plastic should naturally disappear after it has served its purpose," Gu added. "This study offers a practical solution toward sustainable plastics."
References
Nature Chemistry (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-02007-3