Eco-friendly glass exists but it’s complex to make, researchers say

A new study shows researchers have developed another way to create biodegradable glass, but there are still barriers to mass manufacturing it.

Researchers have figured out a new way to make glass that will decompose on its own and not harm the planet.

In a new study published in Science Advances on Mar. 17, a group of researchers developed a "family" of eco-friendly glass from amino acids or peptides.

According to the study, the new biodegradable or biorecyclable glass has "a minimal environmental footprint."

Traditional glass is made from non-biodegradable materials like methyl methacrylate.

Using a "heating-quenching" technique, researchers were able to chemically modify amino acids to form a similar glass product. Further testing was done on the glass' kinetic and thermodynamic abilities.

Although the research has demonstrated the ability to create biodegradable glass, researchers say mass production will not happen anytime soon.