PLASTIC-EATING ENZYMES, ANYONE?

PLASTIC-EATING ENZYMES, ANYONE?

Just when I thought we were losing the war against plastic waste, science once again shows up like a hero in a lab coat — introducing “plastic-eating enzymes.” Believe it or not, these microscopic allies could become our most effective army yet — countless invisible warriors working quietly to digest our garbage.

No, I’m not talking about people, but about enzymes — biological catalysts that can break down even the most stubborn plastics. They don’t demand salaries, don’t go on strike, and don’t complain about overtime. And yet, they could do what billions in infrastructure spending have failed to do: clean up our plastic mess.

Science to the Rescue — Again

Around the world, scientists are discovering bacteria, fungi, and even insects capable of breaking down plastics. One of the most famous discoveries came from Japan, where a bacterium called Ideonella sakaiensis was found to produce enzymes — PETase and MHETase — that can decompose PET, the same plastic used in soft drink bottles and polyester clothes.

Meanwhile, fungi like Pestalotiopsis microspora, found in the Amazon rainforest, can digest polyurethane — even without oxygen. This means they can work in landfills, where most plastics end up. Other species, like Aspergillus tubingensis, do similar wonders.

A 2024 review by the American Chemical Society reports that new plastic-eating enzymes are now being identified in wastewater microbes. These enzymes can break plastics into small, reusable molecules — a major leap toward a real circular economy.

From Nature to Laboratory

Scientists are not stopping at discovery. They’re “turbocharging” these enzymes — reengineering them to work faster and under normal environmental conditions. A research team from the University of Texas, for instance, has developed an enzyme that can break down plastic in hours instead of centuries.

This kind of innovation has huge potential for industry. Imagine factories where waste plastic bottles are fed into bioreactors, not incinerators — and come out as usable raw materials ready to be remade into new products.

In some countries, researchers have even embedded these enzymes into bioplastics. These new materials can self-destruct when exposed to heat and moisture — perfect for home composting. No need for industrial composters or complex recycling systems.

From Laboratory to Barangay

The question now is: how can the Philippines join this movement?

Surely, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should take the lead, possibly through its Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) or the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD). But this is not just a science project — it’s an environmental, industrial, and diplomatic issue as well.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should coordinate waste collection and pilot areas for enzyme-based plastic degradation. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) could explore partnerships with biotech firms already producing these enzymes. And the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could facilitate scientific cooperation with countries like Japan, the U.S., and France — where much of this research is taking place.

Why not start small? A pilot project in a barangay-based materials recovery facility (MRF) could test enzyme-treated composting for plastic sachets or PET bottles. Community waste cooperatives could even partner with local universities like UP Los Baños or Mapúa to conduct trials.

The Circular Economy Connection

Plastic-eating enzymes fit perfectly into a circular design mindset — the idea that waste is not garbage, but feedstock for new production. Imagine if every plastic bottle could be broken down, reassembled, and reused endlessly — not melted or burned, but literally recycled at the molecular level.

Barangay-level bioreactors could integrate this technology, using wastewater microbes to “digest” plastic locally. Instead of trucks hauling waste to distant landfills, communities could process plastics on-site — safely, cheaply, and sustainably.

And if you’re thinking this sounds futuristic — it’s not. Companies like Entropic Materials and Carbios are already scaling up enzyme-based recycling systems. In 2024, Carbios opened the world’s first commercial enzymatic recycling plant in France, capable of processing tens of thousands of tons of plastic annually.

Challenges and Cautions

Of course, we must ask the tough questions. How do we ensure these enzymes don’t accidentally harm the ecosystem if released uncontrolled? How do we handle microplastic residues safely? And how do we make this affordable and accessible to developing countries like ours?

Technology alone won’t save us — it needs wise policy, strong leadership, and a public that understands the science behind it.

Plastic-eating enzymes may not be a silver bullet, but they are a silver lining. They remind us that the solutions to our biggest environmental problems might not come from more machines, but from better biology — from learning how nature itself manages waste.

If we play this right, the Philippines could be one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to test enzyme-based recycling on a national scale. And if the government needs help, I know a few techie friends — and a lot of willing barangays — who would be happy to join this new environmental revolution.

So yes, plastic-eating enzymes, anyone?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 04-27-2026