Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Question #195

For years, engineers have developed biodegradable plastics derived from cornstarch in an attempt to curb environmental pollution. However, while these early bioplastics break down faster than traditional petroleum-based plastics, they still require the high heat of commercial composting facilities to degrade efficiently—conditions rarely met in standard landfills. Recently, bioengineers have introduced a novel alternative derived from macroalgae (seaweed). Unlike cornstarch variants, this algae-based polymer breaks down at room temperature in highly varied soil conditions, dissolving almost entirely within just six weeks without the need for specialized industrial intervention. What is the main purpose of the text?