Plastic trash is becoming a major issue all over the world. While fine particles of this plastic are finding their way into the bodies of live humans, it has also had a significant impact on the life of aquatic life in the seas.
To address this issue, American scientists have developed a light rubber shoe bottom that begins to degrade after only four weeks of immersion in water.
According to estimates, leather can take 40 years to degrade in water while a rubber sole can take up to 80 years. While every plastic item ever used for clothing can be found in the world in some form or another.
It is predicted that 600 million shoes are thrown out in the UK each year, which will remain on the planet for thousands of years.
However, the material used in this shoe was developed by experts at the University of California, San Diego, in such a way that marine creatures can break it down into its basic chemical parts and utilize it as food.
Researchers believe that this plastic substitute can help to reduce pollution in the world’s oceans.
According to Professor Stephen Mayfield, inappropriate dumping of plastics in the oceans breaks them down into microplastics, which has become a major environmental hazard.
“Research has demonstrated that it is entirely possible to produce high-quality plastic goods that disintegrate in the water,” he stated.
According to a 2010 study, 8 billion kg of plastic are thrown into the oceans each year, and this figure is expected to rise significantly by 2025.
