Has the Earth Decided to Heal Itself?

News Desk 

Islamabad: Vast islands of floating debris, plastic bottles bobbing in the waves, and shredded bags tangled in seaweed—this is the grim reality of our world’s oceans.

Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste choke marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and even enter the human food chain through microplastics.

It often feels like the world is drowning in plastic, with no clear path to recovery. But now, in a twist that almost seems as if the Earth has decided to heal itself, a glimmer of hope has emerged from an unexpected source: plastic-eating fungi.

Big Problem, Small Solution 

Scientists in Germany have discovered that certain types of fungi are capable of breaking down synthetic polymers, the building blocks of most plastics. This discovery could be a pivotal step in managing plastic pollution.

Researchers at Lake Stechlin in north-eastern Germany conducted an analysis of micro-fungi, demonstrating their ability to thrive on plastic when no other carbon source is available. This suggests that these fungi have evolved to degrade synthetic materials, potentially offering a new tool in the fight against plastic waste.

“The most surprising finding of our work … is that our fungi could exclusively grow on some of the synthetic polymers and even form biomass,” explained Hans-Peter Grossart, head of the research group at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. While the implications are promising, Grossart stresses that this is only one piece of the larger puzzle in addressing the global plastic crisis.

Promising Tool

The fungi’s ability to digest plastic suggests a potential application in controlled environments such as sewage treatment plants. By integrating these plastic-degrading fungi into waste management systems, there could be a reduction in the volume of plastics that end up in landfills and oceans. However, Grossart warns that this is not a silver bullet for the plastic problem.

“We should definitely try to release as little plastic as possible into the environment,” he emphasises. “Plastic is made from fossil carbon, and if the fungi break it down, it’s no different from us burning oil or gas and releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.”

The study examined 18 different fungal strains and identified four that showed a particularly strong appetite for plastics, especially polyurethane, which is commonly used in construction foam.

Other types of plastic, such as polyethylene found in plastic bags and packaging, were slower to degrade, while microplastics from tyre abrasion were the most resistant due to additives like heavy metals.

Our Polluted World

While the discovery of plastic-eating fungi is an exciting development, Grossart believes their ability to utilise plastic is an adaptation to the vast amounts of plastic carbon now present in the environment.

The fungi’s enzyme activity, which allows them to break down plastic, is heavily dependent on external conditions, such as temperature and the presence of micronutrients.

This research comes at a critical time, as plastic production continues to rise globally. Data from the Plastics Europe producer association show that 390 million tonnes of plastic were produced worldwide in 2021, a dramatic increase from 1.7 million tonnes in 1950.

Despite improvements in recycling rates in recent years, less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for new solutions and strategies to manage plastic waste.