Anthropocene Magazine · Health

New Plastic Can Be Converted into Fertilizer

Researchers are developing a new type of plastic from plant-based materials that can be chemically converted into fertilizer, potentially reducing waste and improving crop yields.

A study details new plant-based polymers from isosorbide. Their stiffness is tunable for uses like shopping bags. They are not biodegradable but can be treated with ammonia to yield fertilizer components like urea.

This builds on prior work where isosorbide-based polymers could be recycled into fertilizer but were too rigid. The new method uses an isosorbide derivative as a softening agent for more flexible plastics.

Experiments showed fertilizers from these recycled plastics boosted plant growth significantly. For *Arabidopsis thaliana*, yield increased up to fivefold compared to no fertilizer.

Isosorbide itself may also act as a biostimulant, enhancing plant growth by increasing tolerance to nitrogen deficiency and salt stress.

The current plastics are suitable for bags and wrapping but may lack strength for other uses. Lifecycle analyses are planned to compare environmental impacts.

Future research must ensure these fertilizers do not add to microplastic pollution, though the design aims to prevent this.

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