11/21/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2023 03:06
Murdoch University PhD candidate Joseph Boctor moved to Perth from Egypt this year with a mission - to tackle plastic pollution.
Tackling the plastics problem was a particular area of passion for Joseph, who said his home country was greatly impacted by the effects of discarded plastic waste.
"Egypt is a developing country, and, like most developing countries, it produces a large amount of plastic and has poor recycling infrastructure," Joseph said.
With Egypt being surrounded by two significant seas, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, Joseph said the trickle-down effects of the pollution was significant.
In order to combat the issue of plastic waste, Joseph is undertaking research with the Murdoch University and CSIRO Bioplastics Innovation Hub, where he is working to find the enzymes in insects which can safely break plastic down.
With much of the world's single-use plastics ending up in the ocean, where more than 700 marine species are susceptible to harm, Joseph said it was important to "not just seek a safer alternative to petroleum-based plastics, but to safely get rid of the toxins of the past".
"While bioplastics are a big part of the solution to pollution, these will be more important for developed nations that have the finance to implement the technology. In developing nations, the priority is getting rid of plastic waste," Joseph said.
Joseph said he had come to Perth to help find the solution because it was a unique project working together with whole of Australia to solve the same problem.
The solutions being developed are not only efficient and eco-friendly, but would quickly be able to make their way into commercial applications.
"I strongly believe that we have a huge responsibility towards keeping the earth habitable and healthy for all living species, including ourselves. Solving the plastic problem is a major step in that."