Waste management has become a major issue for the whole world. Among all the waste that is generated by humans, plastic waste is the most daunting one. Plastic is non-biodegradable and can survive in the environment for hundreds of years. It affects the world's oceans, rivers, and other natural habitats. Scientists have been working tirelessly to develop innovative solutions to this problem, including the use of plastic-eating bacteria. In this blog, we will explore the marvel of plastic-eating bacteria that has the potential to revolutionize waste management. Plastic-eating bacteria are microorganisms that can consume plastic waste. Scientists have discovered that these bacteria can break down the plastic into its fundamental chemical components, which can then be naturally assimilated back into the environment. This is a revolutionary solution because plastic waste can be reduced without landfills or incinerators, which are major contributors to air pollution. Plastic waste reduction can help to protect the planet's natural habitats and support ecosystems.

Studies have shown that plastic-eating bacteria can degrade two types of plastics - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane. PET is commonly used in bottles, packaging, and textiles, while polyurethane is used in refrigeration equipment, furniture, and shoe production. The discovery of these bacteria could lead to a significant reduction in plastic waste. This technique also has the potential to reduce the amount of petroleum-based raw materials required for plastic production.

The Scale of the Problem

There is a vast expanse of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, measuring seven times the size of Great Britain. Additionally, plastic debris pollutes beaches and overflows landfills worldwide. On a smaller scale, microplastic and nanoplastic particles have been discovered in fruits and vegetables, having infiltrated them through the plants' roots. These particles have also been detected in nearly every human organ, and astonishingly, they can even transfer from mother to child via breast milk.

The current methods of breaking down or recycling plastics are inadequate. The majority of plastic recycling involves a crushing and grinding stage, which damages and weakens the fibers that compose plastic, resulting in a lower-quality state. Unlike glass or aluminum containers that can be melted down and reformed indefinitely, the plastic in water bottles, for instance, deteriorates with each recycling cycle. A recycled plastic bottle becomes a patchy bag, which then transforms into fibrous jacket insulation, and eventually ends up as road filler, without any chance of being recycled again. Unfortunately, only a small fraction – just 9% – of plastic actually makes its way into recycling facilities.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, ‘The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago, with the bulk of it ending up in landfill, incinerated or leaking into the environment, and only 9% successfully recycled.

Discovery of the Bacteria

In 2001, a group of Japanese scientists made a startling discovery at a rubbish dump. The scientists discovered a slimy bacterial film (Ideonella sakaiensis) that was happily consuming plastic bottles, toys, and various other items. These bacteria were found to consume plastic waste and produce enzymes that break down the plastic. Scientists are now working to develop a way to use these bacteria to tackle the global plastic waste problem. Some bacteria have been genetically engineered to enhance their plastic-eating abilities, making them more effective at breaking down plastic waste.

The potential implications of this discovery are vast. The use of plastic-eating bacteria has the potential to revolutionize waste management practices, making them more sustainable. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these bacteria on a large-scale. Currently, the focus is on developing a standardized protocol for using these bacteria and incorporating them into waste management systems.

How does plastic-eating bacteria work?

Plastic-eating bacteria contain specialized enzymes that break down the plastic polymer chains into their compounds. The process starts when the bacteria release a PET-digesting enzyme known as PETase. The PETase break down the PET polymer into its building blocks, which are then absorbed by the bacteria and used as an energy source. The breaking down of PU plastics is a bit more complicated since the polymer consists of two types of bonds. Still, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium contains an enzyme known as 'lipase,' which helps break down PU plastic waste.

According to the Techsci Research report “India Biomedical Waste Management Market By Service (Recycling & Disposal), By Treatment Site (Offsite), By Region (South, West, North & East), Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024,” India biomedical waste management market is expected to reach USD39 million by 2024. With the rapid growth in the population, the number of patients in the country is also increasing, thereby resulting in high volume of bio-medical waste generated each day. Also, the government and several non-government organizations are taking initiatives for bio-medical waste management and compliance with bio-medical waste management rules, which in turn, is likely to drive the bio-medical waste management market. Additionally, growing awareness regarding the bio-medical wastes and their safe disposal is further propelling the market.

Companies Working in the Field:

Since 2021, a French company called Carbios has been operating a process that utilizes a bacterial enzyme to treat approximately 250kg of PET plastic waste daily. This process breaks down the waste into its precursor molecules, which can then be directly used to create new plastic. While it's not exactly composting the waste back into the earth, Carbios has achieved a major milestone in plastic recycling, bringing it closer to the concept of infinitely recyclable materials like glass or aluminum.

This development could assist companies like PepsiCo and Nestle, who are partnering with Carbios, in accomplishing their long-standing objectives of incorporating significant amounts of recycled material into their products.

Seed Health, a microbial sciences company, is conducting an experiment to test the ability of enzymes to break down plastic and then transform it into a new material using bacteria. As part of this initiative, they are sending Pseudomonas putida, a strain of plastic-eating bacteria, into space to explore its potential as a waste management solution on Earth and beyond. SeedLabs is collaborating with the MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Harvard Medical School for this exciting journey into outer space.

In addition to assessing the performance of the microbes in a zero-gravity, high UV radiation environment, the experiment could serve as a stepping stone towards investigating the possibility of establishing a system for astronauts to recycle their plastic waste and transform it into new materials. 

BioCellection is another company that is making waves in the field of plastic-eating bacteria. They are developing a technology that uses bacteria to break down plastic waste into chemicals that can then be used to create new products. Their process is unique because it can break down plastic that is typically difficult to recycle, such as single-use plastics, making it a promising solution to the global plastic waste problem.

Genomatica is a company that is working on developing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastic. They have developed a technology that uses bacteria to produce chemicals that can be used as the building blocks for sustainable, biodegradable plastics. This technology has the potential to replace petroleum-based plastics and make a significant impact on the global plastic waste crisis.

Evocatal is a German biotechnology company that is using bacteria to break down plastic waste. They have developed an enzyme that can break down polyurethane into its basic building blocks, which can then be used to create new plastics. This is significant because polyurethane is notoriously difficult to recycle, so Evocatal's technology has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution.

Proteus is a company that has developed a biodegradable plastic called PHA. PHA is made from bacteria that can naturally break down organic matter, including plastics. Proteus's PHA is made from agricultural waste and has the potential to replace many single-use plastics.

According to TechSci Research report, “India Solid Waste Management Vehicles Market By Vehicle Type (Auto Tipper or Hopper Tipper, Garbage Compactor Truck, Dumper Placer, Earth Moving Equipment), Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029,” India Solid Waste Management Vehicles Market has valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 4.19%. The Indian Solid Waste Management Vehicles Market has been experiencing a remarkable growth. With India being the second most populous country in the world, the daily generation of solid waste reaches an astounding volume. This increase can be attributed to the increasing pace of industrialization, urbanization, and population growth, which has aggravated the waste management predicament in the country. To deal with this pressing issue, there is a growing need for the utilization of advanced waste management vehicles. The government initiatives are actively promoting recycling, efficient waste management practices and waste segregation. These initiatives have significantly increased the demand for waste management vehicles in the market. The market includes a diverse range of vehicles, including garbage trucks, roll-off trucks, compactors, which are extensively employed in municipal solid waste management processes. Despite the challenges like limited awareness and high initial costs, the market outlook remains optimistic. This optimism is due to the escalating environmental concerns and the implementation of sustainable waste management policies across the country. As India strives for a greener and cleaner future, the growing market for waste management vehicles presents an array of opportunities for industry players to contribute to the country's waste management efforts. By leveraging these opportunities, the companies operating in the market can address the waste management challenges and also foster a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for India. Through their contributions, they can play a crucial role in building a cleaner and greener India, while also unlocking the potential for economic growth and development.      

What are the implications of these discoveries?

The discovery of plastic-eating bacteria brings a new hope of solving the plastic waste problem. While it is still new, the technology has high potential for scaling since it is based on the natural biological systems of bacteria. Plastic waste can take thousands of years to decompose, but the discovery of plastic-eating bacteria brings that timeline closer. Moreover, this breakthrough presents opportunities to align plastic waste management with the circular economy, where waste is reduced, recovered, and reused.

Limitations

While this breakthrough is an exciting step towards a plastic-free world, it is not without its limitations. Scientists are still in the early stages of researching plastic-eating bacteria, and it could take years before it becomes widely available for use. It is also essential to note that even if plastic-eating bacteria can degrade plastic, it does not mean the waste disappears entirely. The waste reduces to smaller compounds, which can still cause harm to the environment if not properly managed. Finally, the bacteria's use is yet to be fully tested on a large scale as the experiments have mainly been conducted in labs.

Conclusion:

The discovery of plastic-eating bacteria is a remarkable breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionize waste management. By using microorganisms to break down plastic waste, we can reduce our environmental footprint and protect our planet's ecosystems. Although more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of these bacteria, the potential implications of this discovery are vast. We hope that scientists can further explore the potential of these bacteria and work towards a more sustainable and healthier future for our planet.

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that requires immediate action. The emergence of companies working on plastic-eating bacteria is a promising solution to this global problem. Carbios, BioCellection, Genomatica, Evocatal, and Proteus are just a few of the many companies working in this field and making a significant impact in the fight against plastic waste. We must continue to support and invest in these companies as they work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.

The discovery of plastic-eating bacteria offers hope for reducing plastic waste and moving towards a circular economy where waste is eliminated. While there are still limitations that require further research, the scientific breakthrough is a remarkable step towards a sustainable future. As individuals, we can continue reducing plastic consumption and dispose of plastic waste properly. Meanwhile, policymakers and manufacturers can take advantage of this solution to create a greener world and mitigate the plastic waste crisis.