Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Chemical and biological degradation of waste plastics

Abstract

BRITISH domestic refuse can mainly be divided into ash, cinders, paper, cardboard, glass, metals, plastics and organic matter1,2. The relative amounts of each component have varied over the years: ash and cinders have decreased while paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics have increased, because of their widespread use in ‘throwaway’ packaging.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tinker, J., New Scient. 54, 389–390 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Patterson, W., and Searle, G., Packaging in Britain: a policy for containment (Friends of the Earth, Ltd, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rolfe, T. J. K., Mon. Bull. Br. Coal Util. Res. Ass., 33, (2), 28–31 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cheater, G., Publ. Cleans., 60, (4)187–199 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Staudinger, J. J. P., Disposal of plastics waste and litter, Monograph No. 35 (Society of Chemical Industry, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Mack, W., First Nat. Conf. Composting—Waste Recycling, 28–30 (Rodale Press, 1971).

  7. Eggins, H. O. W., and Mills, J., United Nations Industrial Development organisation, publication No. 1D/WG.96/4, 1–40 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mills, J., Barnes, T. G., and Eggins, H. O. W., Int. Biodeterior. Bull., 7, 105–108 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mills, J., thesis, University of Aston in Birmingham (1973).

  10. Hughes, D. E., Ind. Recovery (1969).

  11. Eggins, H. O. W., Mills, J., Holt, A., and Scott, G., Microbial Aspects of Pollution, 269–279 (Academic Press, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lewin, R., New Scient., 49, 440–441 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Scott, G., New Scient., 47, 293 (1970); Chem. Br., 9, 267–272 (1973).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Whittaker, D., and Forsyth, J. S. A., Br. Patent, 581,279 (1946).

  15. Beachell, H. C., and Nemphos, S. P., J. polym. Sci., 21, 113–124 (1956).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Alter, H., Ind. Engng. Chem., 52, 121–124 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Mills, J., and Eggins, H. O. W., Int. Biodeterior. Bull. 6, 13–17 (1970).

  18. Eggins, H. O. W., and Pugh, G. J. F., Nature, 193, 94–95 (1962).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Metcalfe, L. D., and Schmitz, A. A., Analyt. Chem., 33, 363–364 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Khosrovi, B., thesis Univ. Manchester Inst. Science and Technology (1969).

  21. Roberts, R. B., Cowie, D. B., Abelson, P. H., Bolton, E. T., and Britten, R. J., Studies of biosynthesis of Escherichia coli, 13–20 (Carnegie Institution, Washington DC, 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Goodwin, T. W., and Morton, R. A., Biochem. J., 40, 628–640 (1946).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Documenta Geigy—Scientific Tables (edit. by Diem, K., and Lentner, C.) seventh ed., 516 (J. R. Geigy, S.A., Basle, Switzerland, 1970).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BROWN, B., MILLS, J. & HULSE, J. Chemical and biological degradation of waste plastics. Nature 250, 161–163 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250161a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/250161a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing