Meet tiny heroes who could save our planet from plastic waste

This is how microbes are helping in eating plastic. Technology offers a sustainable and green alternative to current methods of waste management. Beyond recycling factories, these microbes could be a vital tool for environmental cleanup.

New Delhi: Tiny invisible helpers that can eat our plastic trash, scientists are discovering new kinds of microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi) all over the world, especially those that are good at breaking down plastics. Scientists have not only discovered new types of bacteria and fungi, but they are also genetically modifying them to create super enzymes (speed up chemical reactions) so that they can work faster and more efficiently. The natural process of consuming plastic is too slow, as plastic is one of the major issues that is increasing with time, so it is important to make microbes genetically modified. 

How do microbes consume plastic? 

Microbes don't chew plastic. Instead, they first stick to the surface and form a slimy film on plastic, then produce a special liquid called Enzymes. These act as scissors when enzymes are released, they start cutting the long and strong plastic chains into smaller, bite-sized pieces called monomers (thousands of monomers form plastic).

These microbes then absorb these monomers and use them as food to get energy and for growing. This is a natural process, and now scientists are trying to make it faster and more efficient to help clean up our plastic waste. The new enzymes are capable of breaking down tough plastics like PET. One such creation is a new enzyme that works six times faster than its natural counterpart. 

Cleaning Our Planet 

Beyond recycling factories, these microbes could be a vital tool for environmental cleanup. These microorganisms can break down microplastics in saltwater, a significant development for tackling the growing problem of ocean pollution. This technology offers a sustainable and green alternative to current methods of waste management. 

Here are the places where we need to improve.

It’s cheaper to make new plastic than to use this technology. Until the costs come down, it will be hard for companies to use it on a large scale, and these microbes can break down only some kinds of plastics, like PET (water bottles), but they struggle to break down common plastics like polyethylene and plastic bags and films. It is still a slow process, even with new technology; the process is slower than traditional recycling. We need to find a solution to the huge plastic problem.