What happens if bioplastics end up in the environment? In this episode, Anja takes a closer look at synthetic polymers marketed as more environmentally friendly. Can they contribute to a healthier planet, and in what way? Anja talks to Frederik Wurm, a chemist developing biodegradable plastics, Constance Ißbrücker of the industry association European Bioplastics, Zero Waste expert Enzo Favoino, marine microbiologist Linda Amaral-Zettler and ecotoxicologist Lisa Zimmermann. Though biodegradable plastics might not fullfill our hopes, it turns out that they might make sense in some niche applications.

The Plastisphere is a research and interview podcast by German freelance journalist Anja Krieger.

Subscribe: www.plastisphere.earth

Support the production: patreon.com/plastispherepodcast or riffreporter.de/plastisphere

Transcript with links and images: http://anjakrieger.com/plastisphere/2019/07/14/ep7-transcript/

This episode was inspired and partly supported by Ensia, the solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet reporting on our changing planet. Learn more at www.ensia.com/

Read more about bioplastics on Ensia: https://ensia.com/features/bioplastics-bio-based-biodegradable-environment/

Music: Dorian Roy and Blue Dot Sessions www.sessions.blue/

Cover art: Maren von Stockhausen

Thanks to: Ines Blaesius, Stephanie Hood, Luisa Beck, Sirine Rached, MPIWG, University of Plymouth, Marcus Anhäuser

German post on RiffReporter: riffreporter.de/plastisphere/bioplastik

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