Cold-Adapted Microbes in Plastic Degradation
The current recycling methods for plastics have limitations and downsides with all the high energy requirements, toxic solvents, and decreased polymer quality. Recently, scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) have discovered cold-adapted microbes that are viable for plastic degradation in cold environments at 15 Celsius. These plastic-degrading microbes have the potential to revolutionize plastic recycling and reduce plastic waste in landfills and oceans. 19 strains of bacteria and 15 strains of fungi were extracted from plastics found in the Alps and the Arctic. There were tested to identify their ability to degrade different types of plastic, including non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE), biodegradable polyester-polyurethane (PUR), pure polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), pure polylactic acid (PLA), and the mixture of PBAT and PLA. The result shows t...