For all the worry that plastic containers and plastic bags will forever continue to clog landfill as they do not dissolve or degrade for decades or centuries, good news from the University of Texas.
In a peer reviewed
article published in the prestigious Nature magazine, and summarized by USA
Today [i]
and various other news media, scientists at University of Texas have
developed an enzyme that breaks down polymer polyethylene
terephthalate, also called PET, in as little as 24 hours.
PET is the most common plastic material from packaging to
clothing (where it is called polyester), rope, upholstery fabrics, carpeting, boat
sails, automotive parts, fiberfill for winter jackets and sleeping bags, construction
materials, and many other items[ii].
It is certified as safe for food and drink containers by the
FDA and is used for water bottles and jugs to soft drink bottles, juice bottles,
etc.[iii]
The enzyme reduced
pieces become plastic that can be easily commercially reused.
Now, PET is
already recyclable in a more complex, time-consuming and costly process.
The enzyme
breakthrough means all PET products are worthwhile recycling and thereby
freeing up landfill.
So soon Say
goodbye to landfill filled with everlasting plastic.
