Bacteria That Eat Plastic

Concord News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 29, 2026 · 1m

Scientists have uncovered a soil bacterium that can break down polyethylene plastic—the kind used in bags and bottles—using natural enzymes. Found in landfill soil, these microbes degrade plastic slowly but efficiently, offering a potential biological solution to the global waste crisis. While not yet ready for large-scale use, researchers are exploring genetic tweaks and lab-based enzyme production to speed up the process and ensure safety. This discovery could revolutionize waste management by harnessing nature’s power to clean up our mess. Support the show:Get a discount at…