Here’s a Good News Story…
..among all the doom and disaster we seem to have inflicted on our home planet.
Scientists have discovered microbes that can eat plastic at low temperatures. This could be a real breakthrough. Researchers had already identified micro-organisms that break down plastic at high temperatures but the cost of the process at an industrial scale would be both prohibitive and non carbon-neutral.
The newly discovered microbes, strains of bacteria and fungi from several genera, can do this at 15°C, making microbial recycling an affordable possibility. Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL tested the organisms on different plastics and found that, of those tested, only polyethylene (PE) was resistant, even after several months of incubation in ideal conditions. Polyethylene is used to make plastic containers, bottles, bags, plastic toys, and many other products.
Science is looking for solutions to our plastic problem but we are still using plastic products that evade their solutions. So…read packet instructions, question manufacturers, make a fuss and find out how the everyday stuff you buy is made and what it is made from.
Good hunting.
Header image: rubbish left by picnickers in the reserve
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/may/10/microbes-digest-plastics-low-temperatures-recycling
👏👏👏
Yes, that’s where I got most of my information. I probably should have referenced it – but a little local blog like this doesn’t usually end with a bibliography.
Ah doesn’t bother me. I like the info in it!
A bibliography would be a good idea. I think everybody on the internet should show their sources. Too much disinformation out there.
I’ll give it a go!
That’s true, too. However, if I put all of my sources, it will be a very long list. Blogging isn’t exactly academic writing as such. I guess that kind of takes the fun out of it a little. This is my opinion only, of course.
I did a report for my summative assessment, and I have 37 sources cited. Imagine if one blog has that many sources (I’m exaggerating, as you can probably tell). Also, I’m sure one is capable of confirming the information posted (or they should be). Confirm info if skeptical!
As an example, one claimed a long time ago that the temperature reading in a tropical country went down to -3 degrees C. I was skeptical because I know how cold that is and people living in their huts with no heating will suffer from hypothermia. So I trawled the net for info and found that how the temp was measured was faulty.
One can ask for the source from the author, I suppose 😁 For me, it is nice to take a break from reading stuff where every sentence has a superscript or parenthesis with name and date (then corresponding reference list at the end).
It is good practice, yes, but if I were to read a blog where it is like a term paper, I might as well read the source(s) instead.
I started web logging to enjoy it without making it too academic. I’ll reserve the academic style of writing for my modules ☺️
Hey, apologies. I was only meant to put applauses, not the link. I hope I didn’t cause any offense 😱😳
No offence taken. I research EVERYTHING and like to think that my followers feel they can trust what they read here. But you’re probably right: a bibliography might be a step too far.
Thank you ☺️ I believe you do, too! I enjoy reading posts and the discussions that ensues thereafter!
Oh my, I didn’t realise that the link was posted there. Apologies. I was only meant to applaud as I liked what I was reading! This is rather embarrassing. I hope I didn’t offend anyone… 😳