Companies put "biodegradable" labels on products and you're supposed to just trust them. But what if it's actually turning into microplastic pollution instead of disappearing?
Recently scientists figured out how to use UV light and Nile Red dye to make microplastics glow. Shine the light, and plastic fragments light up yellow and orange against dark soil. The method works and they've published it for high school labs.
Your Research Challenge
Turn that lab method into a consumer verification tool.
What if you adapted it so anyone could test products they buy? A clear protocol with step-by-step instructions, a scoring system that says "this actually biodegrades" versus "this is greenwashing," validation across different materials. Something you could share free so thousands of people could check claims themselves.
The Protocol
Buy products with biodegradable labels. Bury them. Test them weekly with UV light and dye. Track whether microplastics form then vanish or accumulate. Document everything. Validate your method works. Package it as a protocol anyone can follow.
Why This Matters
You're not just doing one study. You're building the tool that shifts power from companies to consumers. Your protocol becomes the way people verify claims and hold brands accountable.
What if you gave everyone the power to check?
