Research and development of plant-derived "biodegradable plastics" is underway to solve our problem of plastics accumulating in the environment. Polylactic acid, the most basic bioplastic material, however, cannot breakdown without meeting certain conditions such as humidity and temperature. Professor Tadahisa Iwata of the University of Tokyo has developed a method to break down polylactic acid regardless of environmental conditions, resulting in a new plastic that can solve environmental issues. Furthermore, there is now technology that can make plastic from carbon dioxide, the cause of global warming. In this episode, find out about the latest research in plastic technology that will transform our future and the future of our planet.