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The use of plastics inevitably leads to (micro)plastics entering and accumulating in the natural environment, affecting biodiversity, food security and human health. Biodegradable polymers have emerged as a potential solution to mitigate plastic pollution and the environmental accumulation of polymers, offering stable performance during use while leading to shorter residence times in natural environments. However, do we fully understand the effect of these novel polymers on microplastic accumulation in the natural environment?
We developed a comprehensive and universally applicable method to quantify microplastic accumulation in the natural environment. This method includes an integrated biodegradation model that enables the examination and comparison of microplastic formation and accumulation across different polymer types in diverse natural environments. The model uses experimental mineralisation curves of polymers to predict microplastic accumulation. It fits these curves to a state space model and thereby generates a mass balance of substances formed during the biodegradation process. This polymer–environment specific mass balance is then used to predict the concentrations and residence times of microplastics in the natural environment.
The modelling results can be used directly to assess and compare the accumulation of different polymers and can also serve as input for life cycle assessment (LCA). We applied this methodology to develop an open-access database on the biodegradation behaviour of a wide range of polymers across various environmental compartments. This database is intended to support LCA practitioners by enabling the integration of this behaviour, specifically the resulting quantities and residence times of polymers in specific environments, into their assessments.
Ultimately, the proposed methodology identifies the biodegradation behaviour required to prevent the accumulation of microplastics from specific plastic products in the natural environment. This will facilitate the transition to a system in which products are designed based on their intended functionality and anticipated end-of-life scenario.