Japan-based materials experts have made impressive progress in the search for a better biodegradable plastic. The breakthrough starts with an abundant material: cellulose from wood pulp. Takuzo Aida, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science research lead, said in a news release that “about one trillion tons” are naturally produced annually. Using it successfully as part of a new plastic could have a widespread impact, because most types of the material take decades to hundreds of years to break down. “This technology will help protect the Earth from plastic pollution,” Aida said in the RIKEN report. …Unlike other biodegradable plastics, RIKEN’s innovation also eliminates harmful microplastics, tiny particles that have saturated our world — found in soil, oceans, and even our bodies.