Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Student Year and Major
Sophomore, Aerospace Engineering
Presentation Description/Abstract
Plastic pollution is an ongoing environmental concern for Daytona Beach, Florida, where coastal ecosystems, marine wildlife, and tourism can be affected by plastic waste entering the ocean. Conventional plastics can persist in the environment for long periods, gradually breaking into microplastics that threaten aquatic organisms and may enter the food chain. This project examines the potential benefits of introducing a newly developed, ocean-degradable plastic to the Daytona Beach area as an alternative to conventional plastic materials. Research published by RIKEN in late 2024 describes a new type of plastic developed using supramolecular chemistry. Unlike many existing plastics, this material is designed to maintain strength and durability during use while dissolving in seawater under specific conditions. Its structure breaks down without producing persistent microplastics, and its components can be recovered for recycling. These properties suggest that the material could offer a promising approach to reducing plastic pollution. The primary objective of this project is to evaluate how adopting this plastic in Daytona Beach could reduce the environmental impact of commonly discarded plastic products, particularly those associated with tourism, food packaging, and recreational beach activities. The project will also consider practical challenges, including manufacturing costs, availability, durability, and the feasibility of implementing the material in local businesses. Although further testing and development would be necessary before widespread adoption, this alternative could complement existing waste management and recycling efforts. Ultimately, this project explores whether ocean-degradable plastic could provide a more sustainable approach to protecting Daytona Beach's coastal environment while supporting the area's long-term ecological and economic well-being.
Keywords
Plastic pollution, ocean-degradable plastics, Daytona Beach, marine sustainability, microplastic prevention
A Sustainable Shoreline: Evaluating Ocean-Degradable Plastic in Daytona Beach, Florida
Plastic pollution is an ongoing environmental concern for Daytona Beach, Florida, where coastal ecosystems, marine wildlife, and tourism can be affected by plastic waste entering the ocean. Conventional plastics can persist in the environment for long periods, gradually breaking into microplastics that threaten aquatic organisms and may enter the food chain. This project examines the potential benefits of introducing a newly developed, ocean-degradable plastic to the Daytona Beach area as an alternative to conventional plastic materials. Research published by RIKEN in late 2024 describes a new type of plastic developed using supramolecular chemistry. Unlike many existing plastics, this material is designed to maintain strength and durability during use while dissolving in seawater under specific conditions. Its structure breaks down without producing persistent microplastics, and its components can be recovered for recycling. These properties suggest that the material could offer a promising approach to reducing plastic pollution. The primary objective of this project is to evaluate how adopting this plastic in Daytona Beach could reduce the environmental impact of commonly discarded plastic products, particularly those associated with tourism, food packaging, and recreational beach activities. The project will also consider practical challenges, including manufacturing costs, availability, durability, and the feasibility of implementing the material in local businesses. Although further testing and development would be necessary before widespread adoption, this alternative could complement existing waste management and recycling efforts. Ultimately, this project explores whether ocean-degradable plastic could provide a more sustainable approach to protecting Daytona Beach's coastal environment while supporting the area's long-term ecological and economic well-being.