Exploring biodegradable alternatives: microorganism-mediated plastic degradation and environmental policies for sustainable plastic management

• Published in: Archives of microbiology Vol. 206; no. 12; p. 457
• Main Authors: Garcia Simão, Rita de Cássia, Rocha, Paula Maria Carneiro, Martins, Júlia Thays Kava, Turkiewicz, Maurício, Plewka, Jacqueline, da-Conceição Silva, José Luis, Maller, Alexandre, Kadowaki, Marina Kimiko, Costa-Júnior, Álvaro Pereira Sampaio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal health; Bacteria - metabolism; Biochemistry; biodegradability; Biodegradable Plastics - metabolism; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Brazil; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases - metabolism; Cell Biology; China; corporate social responsibility; Cutinase; durability; Ecology; Environmental degradation; Environmental legislation; Environmental management; Environmental policy; Environmental Policy - legislation & jurisprudence; Environmental Pollution - prevention & control; European Union; Health risks; Information management; laws and regulations; Legislation; Life Sciences; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Plastics - metabolism; pollution; Pollution control; Production costs; Public awareness; Recycling; Recycling systems; Review; Technological change; technology; Toxic waste disposal; Toxic wastes; toxicity; Waste management; Waste Management - methods; wastes; Brazil; China; Biodegradation; Bio-based plastics; Environmental pollution; Single-use plastic; Petroleum-based plastics
• ISSN: 0302-8933; 1432-072X; 1432-072X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04170-6

Plastics offer versatility, durability and low production costs, but they also pose environmental and health risks due to improper disposal, accumulation in water bodies, low recycling rates and temporal action that causes physicochemical changes in plastics and the release of toxic products to animal health and nature. Some microorganisms may play crucial roles in improving plastic waste management in the future. Cunningamella echinulata has been identified as a promising candidate that remains viable for long periods and produces a cutinase that is capable of degrading plastic. Other recent approaches involving the use of microorganisms are discussed in this review. However, there does not seem to be a single science that is efficient or most appropriate for solving the problem of plastic pollution on the planet at present. Regulations, especially the implementation of different laws that address the entire plastic cycle in different countries, such as Brazil, the USA, China and the European Union, play important roles in the management of this waste and can contribute to reducing this problem. In the context of the transversality of the information compiled here, the current limitations are discussed, and an effective plan is proposed to reduce plastic pollution. Although it is challenging, it involves implementing legislation, promoting sustainable alternatives, improving collection and recycling systems, encouraging reuse, supporting research and technological innovation, promoting corporate responsibility, collaborating globally, raising public awareness, optimizing waste management and, above all, continuously monitoring the progress of actions based on measurable metrics.