Living plastic self-destructs in 6 days, no microplastics left
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Researchers have created a self-destructing living plastic that uses engineered bacteria to break itself down completely in six days. The material degrades without leaving microplastics, offering a potential solution for single-use plastic waste.
The Living Material
The plastic incorporates Bacillus subtilis spores engineered to produce a plastic-degrading enzyme. When exposed to nutrients in soil or compost, the spores germinate and activate the enzyme, breaking down the polymer into harmless components. The process takes six days and leaves no microplastic residue.
Degradation Mechanism
The bacteria are embedded in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. Under normal use, the spores remain dormant and the plastic retains its strength. Upon disposal in a nutrient-rich environment, the spores germinate and secrete the enzyme, which cleaves the polymer chains. The byproducts are carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
What's Next
The team plans to test the material in real-world composting facilities and scale up production. It remains unclear whether the plastic can maintain durability during long-term storage or if the bacteria could pose environmental risks.
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Living plastic self-destructs in 6 days, no microplastics left
