Name: These bacteria eat plastic
Uploaded: 2019-05-28T14:58:25Z
Duration: 9 min 3 s
Description: Humans produce 300 million tons of new plastic each year -- yet, despite our best efforts, less than 10 percent of it ends up being recycled. Is there a better way to deal with all this waste? Morgan Vague describes her research with microbiologist Jay Mellies on bacteria that have evolved the unexpected ability to eat plastic -- and how they could help us solve our growing pollution problem.

Humans produce 300 million tons of new plastic each year -- yet, despite our best efforts, less than 10 percent of it ends up being recycled. Is there a better way to deal with all this waste? Morgan Vague describes her research with microbiologist Jay Mellies on bacteria that have evolved the unexpected ability to eat plastic -- and how they could help us solve our growing pollution problem.

Morgan Vague: These bacteria eat plastic

These bacteria eat plastic

By 2050, oceans may have more plastic than fish, a stark indication of pollution's reach and the dire need for solutions.

A breakthrough in pollution management: naturally occurring bacteria have evolved to consume PET plastic, offering a glimmer of hope.

Harnessing sunlight to 'tenderize' PET plastic, making it easier for bacteria to digest, paves a path towards innovative waste reduction.