 Polymers play a major role in our daily lives, from packaging to medical devices. However, when these polymers end up in the ocean, they can cause serious damage to marine ecosystems. Researchers have been studying the effects of plastic pollution on marine life, biodiversity, and potential toxicity. While the consequences are still being debated, prevention of unnecessary waste is desired. Newly developed polymers that degrade in seawater are seen as potential alternatives to commodity polymers in certain applications. These biodegradable polymers typically degrade too slowly in seawater, so there's a need for more research into how to make them break down faster. Innovations in the formulation of polymers could lead to faster degradation in natural environments. This article was authored by Gu Xiaowang, Dan Huang, Junhui Ji, and others.