As we celebrate our living planet on Earth Day, the research of Rensselaer scientist Richard Gross offers hope for a more sustainable future.

As we celebrate our living planet on Earth Day, the research of Rensselaer scientist Richard Gross offers hope for a more sustainable future. His research team is working on a variety of materials that are “recyclable by design.” One approach creates plastics that can be broken down into raw materials using mild, safe processes, and endlessly reused. Research on bioplastics, made from plants like switchgrass, capture carbon  and biodegrade when discarded. And natural enzymes can be modified to degrade common plastics like PET and polystyrene.