Syed Mansoor Qutab
The European Union (EU) has banned all single-use plastic, and the world has followed suit on their campaign, with Pakistan being one of the responsible countries, the world looks towards science to introduce better solutions to our plastic crisis. For that matter, research and innovation has not disappointed world’s climate activists.
As of right now, we must discuss two key discoveries that can potentially aid in cleaning out our landfills, our oceans, and our homes, to free us of the amount of plastic that burdens the climate, and the society. We must look at how they work, their readiness for the market, and most of all, whether they are or aren’t beneficial to our cause of cleaning up Mother Earth.
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Plastic is made of strongly tied together string molecules that are incredibly difficult to break up, which is why, plastic takes 400 years to decompose, adding up to 4-6 generations of humans. We have found two organisms that help with the process. Ideonella Sakaiensis was found by the University of Kyoto researchers, which was a bacteria that helped speed up the process. Upon further research, University of Portsmouth researchers accidentally discovered PETase that is an enzyme secreted from Ideonella Sakaiensis. This bacterial enzyme speeds up chemical reactions, breaking down the strings of molecules, splitting certain chemical bonds in Polyethylene Terephthalate. This helps make the plastic soluble and easier to recycle.
If that does not excite us, then the Pestaliopsis microspore is definitely nature’s gift we have been waiting for. Discovered in 2012, by Yale University students, Pestaliopsis microspore is a mushroom found in the Amazon Rainforest. It comes Polyurethane, which is a key ingredient in plastic products. It breaks down the plastic, and converts it into organic matter. What is even exciting about it is the fact the mushroom requires no oxygen, making it possible to use it in the most difficult of conditions. This was tested in controlled conditions, which showed that the process of breaking down plastic begins in a few weeks, and in a few months, the plastic is completely consumed, and becomes a mushroom.
While our bacterial enzyme can easily help us clean oceans, our fungal solution can clean up landfills. More research, however, is required to see whether they themselves are safe for humans, or not. The initial research puts us in favour of Pestaliopsis microspore, which is completely safe, and can also be eaten by humans. This means, that once these mushrooms serve their purpose, they can be used to feed several million people. It is unclear, however, how people will be convinced to consume a food, that consumes plastic.
We cannot be certain whether our bacterial enzyme solution to the issue can be reliable. If the bacteria is allowed to decompose plastic in the open, material or structures made of plastic, that are made to last for several years, or decades might be vulnerable. We have very little idea whether we can contain the bacteria itself, or not.
As of right now, we can only hope the world follows the plastic ban, and ends the production of more plastic, and plastic products. Once we can ensure that we contain the existing amount of plastic, our research can further pave way for better and faster ways of eliminating the existing plastic in our country.
