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Plastic pollution is widely recognized as a huge problem for marine ecosystems and human health, but the lack of alternatives makes it hard to minimize its impacts. That’s why #WHOI scientists, in partnership with Eastman Chemical, have created a prototype for a new type of plastic straw derived from wood. A new study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering shows these cellulose diacetate straws break down even faster than paper. One of the study’s authors WHOI scientist Collin Ward says this research emphasizes the importance of partnerships between industry and academia when it comes to keeping pollutants out of the ocean.