{"id":138588,"date":"2024-02-09T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=138588"},"modified":"2024-02-05T14:36:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T13:36:26","slug":"kings-scientists-discover-enzyme-used-in-laundry-detergent-can-recycle-single-use-plastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/kings-scientists-discover-enzyme-used-in-laundry-detergent-can-recycle-single-use-plastics\/","title":{"rendered":"King&#8217;s scientists discover enzyme used in laundry detergent can recycle single-use plastics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-138609\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7727272727272727;width:784px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27.jpg 780w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/bioplastics-story.x7d233f27-400x226.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>The novel method of chemical recycling, published in&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/cell-reports-physical-science\/fulltext\/S2666-3864(24)00003-1\" target=\"_blank\">Cell Reports Physical Sciences<\/a>, uses enzymes typically found in biological laundry detergents to \u2018depolymerise\u2019 \u2013 or break down \u2013 landfill-bound bioplastics. Rapidly converting the items into soluble fragments within just 24 hours, the process achieves full degradation of the bioplastic polylactic acid (PLA). The approach is 84 times faster than the 12-week-long industrial composting process used for recycling bioplastic materials.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This discovery offers a widespread recycling solution for single-use PLA plastics, as the team of chemists at King\u2019s found that in a further 24 hours at a temperature of 90\u00b0C, the bioplastics break down into their chemical building blocks. Once converted into monomers \u2013 single molecules \u2013 the materials can be turned into equally high-quality plastic for multiple reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"BorlabsCookie _brlbs-cb-youtube\"><div class=\"_brlbs-content-blocker\"> <div class=\"_brlbs-embed _brlbs-video-youtube\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_brlbs-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/borlabs-cookie\/assets\/images\/cb-no-thumbnail.png\" alt=\"YouTube\"> <div class=\"_brlbs-caption\"> <p>By loading the video, you agree to YouTube&#8217;s privacy policy.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy?hl=en&amp;gl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Learn more<\/a><\/p> <p><a class=\"_brlbs-btn _brlbs-icon-play-white\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Load video<\/a><\/p> <p><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"unblockAll\" value=\"1\" checked> <small>Always unblock YouTube<\/small><\/label><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><div class=\"borlabs-hide\" data-borlabs-cookie-type=\"content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-id=\"youtube\"><script type=\"text\/template\">PGlmcmFtZSB0aXRsZT0iS2luZyYjMDM5O3Mgc2NpZW50aXN0cyBhcmUgdXNpbmcgbGF1bmRyeSBkZXRlcmdlbnQgZW56eW1lcyB0byBzcGVlZCB1cCB0aGUgYnJlYWsgZG93biBvZiAjYmlvcGxhc3RpY3MuIiB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4MSIgc3JjPSJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLW5vY29va2llLmNvbS9lbWJlZC9Nbk9GZm5YbDM0az9mZWF0dXJlPW9lbWJlZCIgZnJhbWVib3JkZXI9IjAiIGFsbG93PSJhY2NlbGVyb21ldGVyOyBhdXRvcGxheTsgY2xpcGJvYXJkLXdyaXRlOyBlbmNyeXB0ZWQtbWVkaWE7IGd5cm9zY29wZTsgcGljdHVyZS1pbi1waWN0dXJlOyB3ZWItc2hhcmUiIHJlZmVycmVycG9saWN5PSJzdHJpY3Qtb3JpZ2luLXdoZW4tY3Jvc3Mtb3JpZ2luIiBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4+PC9pZnJhbWU+<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The problem with \u2018green\u2019 plastics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Current rates of plastic production outstrip our ability to dispose of it sustainably. According to Environmental Action, it is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.e-a.earth\/plastic-overshoot-day-report-2023\/\">estimated<\/a>&nbsp;that in 2023 alone more than 68 million tons of plastic globally ended up in natural environments due to the imbalance between the huge volumes of plastics produced and our current capacity to manage and recycle plastic at the end of its life. A recent&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/newsroom\/global-plastic-waste-set-to-almost-triple-by-2060.htm\">OECD report<\/a>&nbsp;predicted that the amount of plastic waste produced worldwide is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While bioplastics &#8211; derived from biological sources such as corn starch, cassava or sugarcane &#8211; are seen as a more sustainable choice by consumers, current methods of bioplastics production are costly and compete with food-based agriculture for use of land. Meanwhile, mechanical recycling methods are inefficient, generate CO<sub>2<\/sub> and are incapable of producing high-quality reusable materials. These \u2018green\u2019 plastics primarily end up in landfill after just one use, causing many retailers to revert back to using oil and fossil-based materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The speed at which the bioplastics breakdown using this new method could revolutionise plastic production, offering an efficient, scalable and sustainable blueprint for recycling single-use bioplastics. A significant breakthrough in the recyclability of single-use bioplastics, the research opens up the opportunity for a sustainable, circular economy that stamps out the production of fossil-based plastics and tackles the huge volume of plastic waste that ends up in landfill and natural environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Dr Alex Brogan, Lecturer in Chemistry at King\u2019s College London<\/strong> said: \u201cThe inspiration for this project came from a problem with bioplastics used in medical and surgical products degrading in the body. We\u2019ve turned this problem around and applied it to the issue of recycling the single-use bioplastics we use in our everyday lives using a common enzyme found in biological laundry detergent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Being able to harness biology to deliver sustainable solutions through chemistry, allows us to start thinking of waste as a resource so that we can move away from oil and other non-renewable sources to create the materials we need for modern life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The scientists are now extending their research into improving the recycling of other commonly used and mass-produced plastics, such as those used in single-use water bottles, film and sheet plastic packaging, and clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Susana Meza Huaman, PhD researcher on the project at King\u2019s College London<\/strong>, said:<strong>&nbsp;\u201c<\/strong>Our research marks the first step in developing new technologies in waste management for recycling bioplastics that are of equal quality to the virgin product. Until now this has been a major challenge in plastics recycling, as while bioplastics are made of biological materials, they are not all compostable and most current recycling methods are inefficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Our chemical approach significantly speeds up the degradation of bioplastics, enabling them to be recycled and reused.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">King\u2019s is investing in science teaching, talent and infrastructure to stimulate new discoveries that benefit society<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-138607\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7727272727272727;width:775px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022.jpg 780w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/kings-science-2.x45d7b022-400x226.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Professor Rachel Mills, Senior Vice President (Academic) and Professor of Ocean Chemistry at King\u2019s<\/strong>, said: \u201cThis new interdisciplinary research can be immediately applied to global challenges such as the sustainable use of bioplastics. To drive our interdisciplinary science capability forward, King\u2019s is making a \u00a345.5 million cross-university investment in science research, education and infrastructure. This transformational programme will accelerate growth, collaboration and innovation, enabling King\u2019s to deliver solutions at the intersection of disciplines and respond to the world\u2019s ever-changing needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/cell-reports-physical-science\/fulltext\/S2666-3864(24)00003-1\"><strong>Read the full paper in Cell Reports Physical Sciences<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The novel method of chemical recycling, published in&nbsp;Cell Reports Physical Sciences, uses enzymes typically found in biological laundry detergents to \u2018depolymerise\u2019 \u2013 or break down \u2013 landfill-bound bioplastics. Rapidly converting the items into soluble fragments within just 24 hours, the process achieves full degradation of the bioplastic polylactic acid (PLA). The approach is 84 times [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":138611,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"New method of chemical recycling achieves full degradation of plastics within 24 hours ","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572,17143],"tags":[5847,17202,10416,5840,7105],"supplier":[23512],"class_list":["post-138588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bio-based","category-recycling","tag-bioplastics","tag-chemicalrecycling","tag-circulareconomy","tag-enzymes","tag-packaging","supplier-kings-college-london"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138588"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=138588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}