Plastic programmed for controlled lifespan

Plastic can be programmed to have a lifespan of days, months or years

Inspired by natural polymers such as DNA, chemists have developed a method to design plastics that degrade automatically after a predetermined period. This innovation aims to reduce environmental pollution by enabling plastics to break down when they are no longer useful.

How it works

The approach involves manipulating the chemical structure of plastic so it "knows" when to start decomposing. By controlling factors in the molecular makeup, manufacturers can set the material to degrade over days, months, or years depending on its intended use.

Environmental impact

This technology targets a major issue with conventional plastics: their persistence in nature long after disposal. Programmable lifespans allow plastics to vanish after fulfilling their purpose, preventing accumulation in ecosystems and reducing pollution.

"Inspired by natural polymers like DNA, chemists have devised a way to engineer plastic so it breaks down when it is no longer needed, rather than polluting the environment."

This breakthrough offers promising potential to drastically cut plastic pollution through smart, time-controlled degradation.

New Scientist on MSN — 2025-11-29

Plastic can be programmed to have a lifespan of days, months or years

How it works

Environmental impact

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