Uncovering the Potential of Plastic-Eating Bacteria to Reduce Waste and Create New Materials and Products
Scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria that can eat plastic! This new species, Ideonella sakaiensis, has been found to be able to break down the chemical bonds of the most common plastic material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This is a remarkable discovery, as PET is a non-biodegradable material that was previously thought to be able to remain in the environment indefinitely. It is estimated that up to 12 million tons of plastic waste are not recycled each year, and this new species of bacteria could provide a solution to this global problem. By using this bacteria, PET could potentially be recycled and reused in different materials and products. This could have a major impact on reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
source: Phys.org