Of the almost 600 billion pounds of plastic waste  produced each year, less than 15 percent is being recycled and exposure to much of this waste threatens human health, especially plastics that contain BPA, a chemical that can interfere with the body’s hormones and increase the risk of heart disease, cancer and infertility. Researchers are seeking safer and more sustainable alternatives by developing plant-based plastic materials suitable for use in water filtration and medical devices. Matthew Green, an associate professor in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, part of the Fulton Schools, is among researchers trying to find ways to use natural products that could replace petroleum-based materials and reduce health risks.