Skip to main content

Bacteria May Become Plastic Pathfinders

Bacteria on empty plastic bottle

kateryna_kon/AdobeStock.com

Millions of tons of plastic are dumped in the environment annually, and reducing that amount is critical. A study by the Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, published in the journal Microbial Ecology, discovered that microbes in oceans and soils worldwide are evolving to eat plastic. The research scanned more than 200 million genes found in DNA samples taken from the environment and found 30,000 different enzymes that could degrade 10 different types of plastic. This is the first, large-scale, global evaluation of the plastic-degrading potential of bacteria, which found that one in four of the organisms analyzed carried a suitable enzyme. The researchers observed that the number and type of enzymes matched those of plastic pollution in various locations.

Many plastics are hard to degrade and recycle. The explosion of plastic production in the past 70 years, from 2 million metric tons to 380 million metric tons a year, has given microbes time to evolve to deal with plastic. Using enzymes to rapidly break down plastics into their respective building blocks will allow new products to be made from the old, decreasing the need for new production. This research highlights new enzymes that could be adapted for industrial use.

In-Print pollution National Content Global Brief Global and Health Briefs Plastics March 2022

 

 

Upcoming Events Near You
The Tick Tackler Tutor: Three Impactful Tick Remediation Strategies for the Homeowner

By Jennifer Meisenbacher

Did you know most tick bites occur in and around the home—and that ticks spend more than 95% of their life off a host?

With more than 19 years of field experience, Tick Tackler offers a practical, easy-to-follow approach that empowers homeowners to significantly reduce tick activity on their properties. From gardening and yard work to children’s play areas, this guide outlines essential adjustments to help protect your outdoor spaces from ticks.

The Tick Tackler Tutor introduces three impactful strategies designed to identify high-risk areas and minimize exposure. These methods are versatile and adaptable—whether you’re a homeowner, pet owner, beekeeper, or managing a larger property such as a doggy daycare or horse farm.

Inside, readers will discover how education leads to confidence, how small changes can yield visible results, and how breaking tick control into manageable steps restores a sense of control. The book simplifies complex concepts into three core strategies, guiding readers in creating a personalized plan to reduce tick activity effectively.

For those eager to reclaim their yards but unsure where to begin, this guide delivers clear, actionable solutions. Transform your outdoor environment into a safer, more enjoyable space for family, pets, and everyday living.

Available now on Amazon.

Follow Us On Facebook