# Plastic-Eating Bacteria A New Bacterium Could Break Down PET Plastic to Eliminate Waste By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2016-03-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-plastic References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/pet-enzyme-plastic-waste/42262/) & [science.sciencemag.org](http://science.sciencemag.org/content/351/6278/1196) According to sources, the level of [plastic in the oceans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aora-mexico) is reaching epidemic proportions, so a new bacterium that can break down PET plastic has been found that could offer a solution. Unearthed by a team of researchers at the Kyoto Institute of Technology, the bacterium was placed in a jar with PET plastic and allowed to sit. Within just weeks, the plastic was found broken down into two basic materials including terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; two harmless materials. The bacterium, named Ideonella sakaiensis by the team, could offer a solution to how [plastics could be recycled](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/debatin) or eliminated in the future. As we look for ways to reduce, the new enzyme could offer a solution for recycling plants. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plastic Waste Reduction:** The discovery of a bacterium that can break down PET plastic opens up opportunities to reduce plastic waste through natural decomposition processes. - **Bio-based Recycling:** The bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis could revolutionize the recycling industry by enabling bio-based decomposition of PET plastic, reducing the reliance on traditional recycling methods. - **Sustainable Materials:** The breakthrough in utilizing bacteria to break down PET plastic provides a pathway to develop sustainable materials and reduce environmental impact. ### Who This Affects Most - **Waste Management:** The discovery of the plastic-eating bacterium offers new possibilities for waste management companies to develop innovative solutions for recycling and reducing plastic waste. - **Plastics Manufacturing:** The bacterium's potential to break down plastic presents an opportunity for plastics manufacturing companies to explore more sustainable production methods and materials. - **Environmental Technology:** The development of bacteria-based processes to break down plastic aligns with the goals of the environmental technology industry, opening up avenues for innovative solutions and products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Based Plastic Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-pet-bottle.md) - [Plant-Based Beverage Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prototype-pet-bottle.md) - [Seafood Waste Bioplastics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natnov-bioscience.md) - [Fungi-Powered Diapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycodigestible-diaper.md) - [Antibacterial Recycled Waste Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-waste-bag.md) - [Water-Soluble E-Waste Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aquafade.md) - [Biotransformable Cup Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verigreen.md) - [Bio-Based Single-Use Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verigreen-plus.md) - [Biodegradable Cheese Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfpacking-cheese.md)