In a new study, scientists at the University of California San Diego show that their plant-based polymer could offer a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.

We know all too well that we have a problem with plastics entering our soils and ocean. According to US environmental advocacy group Ocean Conservancy, 11 million metric tons of plastics enter our oceans every year. This is in addition to the estimated 200 million metric tons that are already there.

This petroleum-based plastic comes from a whole variety of sources including drinks bottles, other types of plastic packaging and resin pellets used in manufacturing.

Much of this plastic will bob on the surface of the ocean for years, such as in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It has an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square km – an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France. Rather than biodegrade, this plastic will simply break down into tinier and tinier pieces.

These seemingly indestructible...