The Anti-Plastic Revolution

In modern-day society, many hold a shared fear. Humans have produced over nine billion tons of plastic waste, and only 9 percent has ever been recycled. Tragically, the majority of plastic waste is not disposed of properly, but burned, buried, or floating around our planet. There is a trash island called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is about the size of Alaska, and at this rate, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the water than fish(by weight). Not only does sea life get stuck constantly, but they actually eat the plastic, thinking it's food, and it slowly kills them.

Another notable concern about plastic is the significant effect of microplastics on the human body. The average person today consumes about a credit card's mass in plastic daily. Scientists have found microplastics all over the human body, including in human blood, lungs, hearts, brains, digestive systems, liver, kidneys, and even reproductive organs and placentas, meaning exposure can start even before birth, raising concerns over fertility and endocrine effects. Microplastics are incredibly dangerous and harmful to humans, causing inflammation, cell damage, lung irritation, and hormone disruption. In 2024, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study with about 250 patients diagnosed with clogged carotid arteries, collecting the plaque from arteries during surgery and testing it for microplastics. Shockingly, the study found that 58% of the patients had microplastics in their arterial plaque, and after 3 years, the rate of heart attack, stroke, and death was about 450% higher in the patients with microplastics in their plaque as opposed to those who tested negative. Needless to say, this is one of the most urgent problems of our time, requiring immediate resolution.

Thankfully, Insiya Jafferjee, CEO of Shellworks, thinks that she may have the solution: Vivomer. Vivomer is a 100% environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to plastic. Vivomer is naturally biodegradable and fully compostable. It is made using naturally occurring bacteria found in soil, primarily those producing a biopolymer called polyhydroxyalkanoates(PHA). The most common microbes used in this process live in soil and water, and they store carbon as PHA inside their cells.

Step-by-Step Process of Creating Vivomer:

1. Prepare feedstock for the bacteria with plant-based waste such as leftover plant materials, sugars, and plant oils instead of fossil fuels like plastic.

2. Grow the PHA-producing microbe of choice in a bioreactor/fermentation tank under the necessary conditions for them to thrive.

3. Once there are enough bacterial cells, the conditions are changed to set a focus on carbon storage as opposed to reproduction. This stage is usually triggered by a surplus of carbon and a lack of Nitrogen and/or Phosphorus.

4. Inside the cells, the carbon feedstock is polymerized into PHA as intracellular granules (blobs of PHA in each cell).

5. Fermentation ends once the cells have accumulated enough PHA, and the cells are separated from the liquid

6. Extract the PHA from the cells by either using a solvent to extract the material or breaking the cells open and collecting the material that spills out. After extraction, the PHA(Vivomer) must be purified to avoid polymer chain damage.

7. Pellets of Vivomer are melted and molded into objects using existing machines repurposed from plastic manufacturing.

While the creation of Vivomer is an incredible step in sustainability, implementation is the most difficult part of any new idea. A key factor in the implementation of Vivomer is its compatibility with existing systems. Unlike other plastic alternatives, Vivomer can be processed with current plastic manufacturing equipment, which means that large-scale adoption is actually realistic. However, the true challenge is not in the manufacturing step (turning pellets into a solid material), but instead in the scaling of the production of the pellets themselves. Although Vivomer can be produced successfully in controlled environments, manufacturing it at the same speed, volume, and most importantly, at as low a cost as traditional plastic. The fermentation process takes time and requires precise conditions, slowing production and increasing cost. Also, the competition with the plastic industry, which is already internationally embedded in society and supply chains, at a fraction of the cost, is also a significant issue in the replacement of plastic with Vivomer.

Despite the extremely promising idea of Vivomer, it is not likely that it will replace plasic widespread, and if it does, it will be preceded by significant time and research. If your goal is to make a difference, Vivomer probably is not the solution. Instead, focus on reducing plastic usage via alternatives such as reusable straws and water bottles, tote bags, and recycled products. Also, be sure to reuse and recycle all plastic that you do use to keep our oceans clean. By simply following the kindergarten rules of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, you can make the most significant impact as of now.