Sustainable foam can remove 99.9% of microplastics

By 2025-02-07T07:58:00

Using a magnifying glass to look at very small pieces of plastic on a beach

Source: © Sansoen Saengsakaorat/Shutterstock

Could squid shells and cotton hold the key to cleaning up microplastic pollution?

Microplastic pollution is a serious threat to our environment. Researchers have responded by creating a foam from cellulose and chitin that effectively removes microplastics from water with up to 99.9% efficiency. The foam is made from abundant, sustainable materials and maintains its effectiveness after repeated use. This breakthrough could provide a practical and environmentally friendly way to clean up microplastic pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Initial tests have been incredibly promising, showing high removal rates in real-world water samples. Use this story and the downloadable summary slide for 14–16 lessons on polymers and using resources.

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