Breaking Down Plastic

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly known as plastic, is cheaply produced all around the world and is clogging up our landfills and environment due the extremely long time it takes to break down. Fortunately, Scientists in Japan have engineered an enzyme cloned from genetic materials found in nature to break down PET. The enzyme binds to the surface of PET to accelerate the chemical reaction between the chemical components of the PET and water. More research is to be done to create a bacteria that can recognize PET in nature to decompose it to make the process easier for people.

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210707140621.htm