A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Embedding enzymes in the material causes it to rapidly break down without creating microplastics

before and after images of dish of compost breaking down plastic

In experiments, enzyme-laced plastic film (left) broke down after three days in compost (right). After two weeks, it disintegrated entirely.

Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering

A pinch of polymer-munching enzymes could make biodegradable plastic packaging and forks truly compostable.