Why Is the World Still Struggling to Handle Plastic Waste? And What Actions Are Needed?

The emergence of plastic-eating bacteria has opened a new, nature-based method for recycling plastic waste. However, this process remains slow, and there are concerns about genetically modified bacteria leaking into the environment.

In early August, more than 200 countries reached an impasse in negotiations over a global plastic treaty held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, in neighboring France, Carbios, a recycling company using bacteria-based technology, has become part of the recycled plastic fiber supply chain of tire giant Michelin. Carbios is a pioneer in applying plastic-eating bacteria, producing byproducts that can be turned into new materials with the same quality as virgin plastic — the kind produced for the first time, without prior recycling.

Plastic-eating bacteria were first reported in 2016 in a scientific journal by Kohei Oda, a professor at the Kyoto Institute of Technology (Japan), and his colleagues. The bacterium was named Ideonella sakaiensis.

This bacterium secretes a special enzyme called PETase, which breaks down plastic by digesting it and releasing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid — monomers that serve as precursors for creating new materials with virgin-like quality. This biological process allows plastic to be recycled infinitely.

The discovery opened a new chapter in research on bacteria-based plastic treatment and recycling, especially since most existing recycling methods are mechanical — involving cutting, shredding, and melting processes that break down the molecular structure of plastic. As a result, the quality of recycled plastic gradually deteriorates and can only be reused a limited number of times.

Since Oda’s discovery, scientists, governments of developed countries, international organizations, and companies — including Carbios — have sought to advance this biotechnological recycling approach. It is projected that the advanced plastic recycling industry could reach a market value of €200 billion (over USD 235 billion) by 2050.