Could the discovery of ‘plastic eating’ bacteria reduce landfill?

As keen supporters of recycling, we were excited to read about the recent scientific discovery of ‘plastic eating’ bacteria which could help change how recycling is managed and provide a solution for the large amounts of litter that go for landfill.

Fifty-million tonnes of plastic or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used in the manufacture of plastic bottles, is produced globally each year, yet only half of that is currently recycled. The newly discovered bacteria, Ideonella Sakainesis is believed to have the ability to break down PET.

The research, carried out at Koto Institute of Technology and Keio University in Japan analysed 250 samples of soil, wastewater and sediment from a PET bottle recycling plant also located in Japan. The team of scientists found the new bacteria clinging to the plastic films. After latching on to the PET surface, the bacteria releases an enzyme to produce an intermediate chemical which is then consumed - ‘eating’ the plastic.

One of the most commonly used plastics, PET is one of the most environmentally harmful, taking an estimated 450 years to break down naturally if not recycled.

“Recycling as a practice still has some way to go, so anything that can help improve recycling rates should be a good thing,” comments Amberol’s MD Patience Atkinson-Gregory.

“However, it’s obviously very early days in the discovery of this new bacteria and more research will need to be carried out before the plastics industry will know how effective a solution it could be long term. For now, we need to focus on recycling the plastics that we use – we believe that Amberol’s recycling bins offer an effective option.”

Made from recyclable polyethylene, the Amberol range of bins include talking litter bins, dual recycling litter bins, wall mounted litter bins and slim litter bins for small internal and external areas. Click here to find out more about Amberol bins.