Japanese scientists recently stumbled upon a discovery in a rubbish dump — a
slimy film of bacteria eating plastic bottles, toys and other discarded items.
These bacteria were breaking plastic down into basic nutrients, ‘eating’ the
plastic for energy. Led by Professor Kohei Oda from the Kyoto Institute of
Technology, the scientists had initially sought substances to soften synthetic
fabrics but found something far more intriguing—a potential solution to plastic
pollution.
Japanese professor Kohei Oda, a microbiologist, believes that nature often holds
ingenious answers to scientific challenges. This discovery, however, didn’t
garner significant attention at the time, as the world had yet to grasp the
magnitude of plastic pollution.
Fast forward, plastic pollution has become a global crisis. Over the past two
decades, we have generated a staggering 2.5 billion tonne of plastic waste, with
annual production projected to triple by 2060. Vast patches of plastic debris mar
the world’s oceans. Microplastics and nanoplastics have infiltrated our food
chain, making their way into human organs and breast milk.
The discovery of plastic-consuming bacteria offers a glimmer of hope in the
battle against plastic pollution. These microbes have demonstrated the ability to
break down plastic fully, converting it into essential nutrients.
As the world grapples with the consequences of plastic pollution, harnessing the
potential of these plastic-eating bacteria could revolutionise how we deal with
plastic waste. It could provide a sustainable solution, reducing our reliance on
landfills and incineration. In a world drowning in plastic, nature’s tiny recyclers
may hold the key to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
