These biodegradable flip-flops made from algae can be a great way to fight marine plastic pollution

Flip-flops are one of the major contributors to the marine plastic pollution menace. In fact, some models have suggested they account for a quarter of all the plastic in our seas. This is why a pair of biodegradable flip-flops made from algae is good news for our ocean ecosystems.

UC San Diego recently partnered with startup company Algenesis Materials to produce a commercial grade polyurethane foam from algae oil to create a sturdy flip flop that will biodegrade in around 16 weeks.

With a biomass content of around 52%, the flip flops are still entirely biodegradable, but that hasn’t stopped the collaboration from looking to create a 100% biomass shoe.

“People are coming around on plastic ocean pollution and starting to demand products that can address what has become an environmental disaster,” said Tom Cooke, president of Algenesis, to UCSD news. “We happen to be at the right place at the right time.”

Read more here: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/algae-flip-flops-biodegrade-in-16-weeks/