Bacteria turn foam into plastic self-destruct

US researchers have used a strain of bacteria to turn an important component of waste cups, plates and utensils into a self-destructing, useful plastic. This potential can significantly reduce the environmental impact of this common but hard-to-recycle waste.

Polystyrene foam is used as a box, dish, food container

The bacteria strain is a special strain of Pseudomonas putida bacteria living in the soil. They turned polystyrene foam - a kind of hard-to-decompose foam, often used as a food container - into a self-destructing plastic.

According to Dr. Kevin O'Connor, head of research at the University of Dublin, this is the first study on the ability to turn waste plastic, derived from oil, into a form of biodegradable, reusable plastic.

O'Connor and colleagues from Ireland and Germany used pyrolysis to turn polystyrene - a key component of many disposable products - into styrene oil. They then provided this oil for P. putida , which can eat styrene.

As a result, the bacteria turned the oil into a self-destructing plastic, called PHA ( polyhydroxyalkanoates ). According to O'Connor, this process can also be used to turn other waste plastics into PHA.

PHA is widely used in medicine, making kitchen utensils, wrapping films and disposable items. This biodegradable plastic is resistant to high temperature liquids, oils and grease. Its shelf life is quite long. However, unlike polystyrene , PHA breaks down in soil and water.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the world produces more than 14 million tons of polystyrene each year. After use, most of this plastic is buried. Although polystyrene accounts for less than 1% of solid waste generated in the US, at least 2.3 million tons are buried in landfills each year. Only 1% of polystyrene waste is currently recycled.

Minh Son