[Jiggly]

Perhaps smaller a smaller story with all that's going on, but an interesting one - University Researchers have been modifying and experimenting with an enzyme that can break down plastics into pellets that can then be used in place of "raw materials". The French company, Carbios, uses this method to break down used/existing plastics for companies that need plastic for production. The idea is that items that would normally go to landfill can be turned into something akin to "raw materials" again. These items also don't have to be pure PET, they can be t-shrits with cotton mixed in too, making the usefulness much wider than some existing plastic recycling schemes.

Carbios aren't looking to become a large recycling entity, but to license their process to other companies like PepsiCo. This gives these large companies other means to gain their raw materials besides petrochemicals.

A clever solution which allows businesses to benefit as well.

Source

[Pruebita1]

Good news for the environment

[bcy37858]

Won't such unfolded plastic seep more easily into the soil?

[MKHITS]

let's see how far this one gets.

[IvanTheTerrible]

They should flood dumpyards with this.

[febru289]

nothing new companies will continue to pollute the earth unless they get monitary incentive to use this enzyme

[a1khn]

Thats actually so surprising. That could solve so many problems with rubbish collecting up in certain places.

[Jiggly]

Won't such unfolded plastic seep more easily into the soil?

Good question, though that's not how it works! The process actually produces things like pellets of something akin to the material big companies like Coca Cola will produce to make their bottles etc.

They should flood dumpyards with this.

Sadly, that's not how this works but we can dream! Perhaps one day! I'd love to see a reduction of the landfills.

nothing new companies will continue to pollute the earth unless they get monitary incentive to use this enzyme

So that's sorta the concept for this. The enzyme will be better for their bottom line, long-term. These solutions aim to make things economically viable, and actually beneficial for the business. Pressure from governments about sustainability are also forcing companies to use solutions like these to maintain profit, but that's very complex and country dependent to go into. The article does touch on this but you can find more details on their website. They're also not the only company working on this.

There's always limitations with this stuff, but this could be a decent step towards a change in the way we produce plastic products. Solutions that that help sustainability AND the bottom line are really important.

Thats actually so surprising. That could solve so many problems with rubbish collecting up in certain places.

There's lots of potential! It's pretty limited at the moment, but it's early days in this technology so I'm excited to see how this research can be expanded and applied to more things.

[raqula]

I think I've seen developments like this before. One way of implementation that is dope; researchers are hoping to introduce this enzyme to little wormy boys so they can just go to town in landfills. Makes things more passive/levels the playing field between synthetics & natural decomposition.

[nathuramgotze]

They do all these inventions but the problem is adaption and the cost. only if thats kept low and easy