With this research, Marja Lamoree, professor of Analytical Chemistry for Environment and Health (VU Amsterdam) and Gert-Jan Gruter, professor of Industrial Sustainable Chemistry (UvA) are competing for the Klokhuis Science Prize 2025.
Until 16 March, you can vote for the research. The winning investigation will get its own Klokhuis episode!
Almost anything can be made from plastic, a really super convenient material. But when it breaks down, it ends up as tiny particles, microplastics, in the environment and in humans. We have been able to measure this in people's blood, where it can be bad for our health. Moreover, plastic is bad for the climate because it is made from oil. That is why we have made a new kind of plastic from plants, which can be reused, breaks down better and contains fewer harmful additives. Because we can't really do without plastic anymore!
Watch the video Marja and Gert-Jan made for the Klokhuis viewers (children aged 9-12) here and call on everyone to vote.