The scourge of plastic pollution is well-documented, as it plagues ecosystems, threatens animal and human health, and leaks into our water tables and food chains. The slow degradation of petroleum-based plastics adds to the conundrum, making the search for viable alternatives more urgent than ever. Enter Jordan Cannon, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville doctoral student, whose microbial engineering work may pave the way toward sustainable bioplastics.
Our reliance on plastics demands a sustainable solution and biodegradable plastics was a step in the right direction, unfortunately, they also present their own issues, like not breaking down swiftly enough in natural settings and being barred from many large composting facilities, which ironically, is where they can decompose the fastest, risk contamination are some of the challenges that place restrictions on their efficacy and undermine their environmental benefits.
In comes the work of Cannon, who not only brings academic credentials to the table as a doctoral microbiology student but also entrepreneurial vision as CEO and founder of Circular Biosciences. The company, according to a press release from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, aims to speed up bioplastic degradation, easing disposal, promoting widespread use, and potentially alleviating environmental impact. Canon’s entrepreneurial and academic hats are meshed perfectly as he's now part of Cohort 2024 of Innovation Crossroads, a DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program at ORNL.
Cannon's focus is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a bioplastic with growing use and production rates yet with limited biodegradability that often sees it end up in landfills, a concern Cannon wants to address, he stressed the importance of enhancing biodegradability saying, “We are currently focused on poly-L-lactic acid — also called PLLA — which is a widely used bioplastic with production expected to increase significantly. However, PLLA's limited biodegradability poses environmental risks, as it is not collected for recycling and often ends up in landfills,” Cannon told ORNL News.
PLLA's improved degradation rate can be achieved through Circular Biosciences’ engineered enzymes, which are set to be incorporated during the manufacturing process. This impressive innovation could revolutionize the lifecycle of bioplastics by enabling more efficient enzymatic depolymerization, stimulating quicker breakdowns in various environments including landfills, making these materials truly biodegradable and sustainable, something that appeals greatly to eco-conscious consumers.
Circular Biosciences is not alone in its mission; Innovation Crossroads provides the required technical support and industry network to foster product development and market entry, while the Spark Cleantech Accelerator program offers additional mentorship and resources. With the support from these programs and the backing from the DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, Cannon's work is well-positioned to contribute to a greener future.
This innovation aims to have a significant impact on the environment, particularly in the realm of single-use plastics like packaging materials, which is where Cannon sees his sustainable materials having the most environmental impact. It's a necessary step in addressing one of the most profound challenges of our time, with the potential to transform an industry and the way we handle our plastic footprint.
