Summary Draft 2

In the article “Plastic-eating Enzyme Could Eliminate Billions of Tons of Landfill Waste” (UT News, 2022), Scientists from University of Texas at Austin have discovered a plastic-eating enzyme that could potentially eliminate tons of plastic waste. The enzyme, Ideonella Sakaiensis, has the ability to break down one of the most commonly used plastic, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), within 24 hours. It was first discovered in a recycling center located in Japan, which was modified to become more efficient in breaking down plastic. As more time is put into further development, researchers are optimistic that the enzyme can be used on a wider scale during the industrial recycling process. Although PET is use everywhere around us, it is not biodegradable and takes beyond a human’s lifespan to breakdown. This leads to an environmental issues and plastic waste accumulation on the planet. There are plans to continue improving the enzyme to use in breaking down other forms of plastic and much more efficiently. The enzyme gives us hope in its continuous battle in preserving our environment for the future.

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