The Crisis

Plastics have long posed one of the greatest environmental challenges in our society, persisting in ecosystems for centuries and fueling a global waste crisis. While recycling offers some relief, it is often energy-intensive and limited in scope. (And surprisingly not everyone recycles!!) New research, however, sheds light on an unexpected solution: microbes that can break down plastics in the cold.

The Solution

According to an article in The Guardian, scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL have uncovered 19 bacterial and 15 fungal strains in alpine and Arctic environments capable of breaking down certain biodegradable plastics at just 15 °C (59 °F)—a much lower temperature than the typical requirement of over 30 °C for such microbial activity. These microbes were isolated from plastic samples buried in locations across Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland, then cultured in the lab in darkness at 15 °C, where they showed abilities to degrade polyester‑polyurethane (PUR) and blends of PBAT and PLA, but not conventional polyethylene (PE). Particularly notable were two previously uncharacterized fungi—genera Neodevriesia and Lachnellula—that were effective against all tested biodegradable plastics except PE.This discovery suggests a promising, lower-energy pathway toward industrial enzymatic recycling of biodegradable plastics. The identification of cold-adapted, plastic-eating microbes underscores the potential of science to find solutions where we least expect them. If developed further, this discovery could help transform how we recycle plastics and reduce their lasting impact on the planet. Sometimes the best solutions are where you least expect it!

References

US, Guardian. “Guardian US.” Microbes Discovered That Can Digest Plastics at Low Temperatures, apple.news/Al4_8ogEUT8ekE7bQuCDylQ