Plastic waste has been a real headache for scientists lately, this solution would cure that headache in more ways than one

Note that this works for PET (It's a pet peeve of mine when these articles just say "plastic" in a way that makes it sound, like this can recycle all types of plastics), and more precisely, PET after chemical processing into something else, useable by the modified bacteria. While still a great avenue for recycling, the article does not elaborate how feasible this could become in large scales (unless I missed a sentence or paragraph, that can happen with my brain.):

The team made their discovery when they took polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a type of plastic often found in food packaging and bottles – and, using sustainable chemical methods, converted it into a new material.

When the researchers incubated this material with a harmless strain of E coli they found it was converted into another substance known as Paba in a process that must have involved a Lossen rearrangement.

Crucially, while the Lossen rearrangement typically involves harsh laboratory conditions, it occurred spontaneously in the presence of the E coli, with the researchers discovering it was catalysed by phosphate within the cells themselves.

The team add that Paba is an essential substance that bacteria need for growth, in particular the synthesis of DNA, and is usually made within the cell from other substances. However, the E coli used in the experiments was genetically modified to block these pathways, meaning the bacteria had to use the PET-based material.

The researchers say the results are exciting as they suggest plastic waste can be converted into biological material.

“It is a way to just completely hoover up plastic waste,” said Wallace.

The researchers then genetically modified the E coli further, inserting two genes – one from mushrooms and one from soil bacteria – that enabled the bacteria to convert PABA into paracetamol.

The team say that by using this form of E coli they were able to turn the PET-based starting material into paracetamol in under 24 hours, with low emissions and a yield of up to 92%.

While further work would be needed to produce paracetamol in this way at commercial levels, the results could have a practical application.

inb4 microplastics found in paracetamol

Yeah because paracetamol, and most other modern drugs, are purely petroleum-based. Thank the Rockefellers for that!

“People don’t realise that paracetamol comes from oil currently,” said Prof Stephen Wallace, the lead author of the research from the University of Edinburgh.

TIL: https://newatlas.com/science/paracetamol-manufacturing-trees/

This sounds like something you'd hear about in Fullmetal Alchemist.

I like paracetamol.

Getting bacterial enzymes that can break down HDPE is tough. I read that the issue is there isn't a good place for the enzyme to "dig in" on the polymer strand.

Mix it with some OG Kush for Slippery and Sneaky effects

Bad for livers

Sounds like a painless process.

I had no idea it was synthesised from oil! Yet another reason not to take it. My local chemist has a sign that says "Did you know? Paracetamol is available for patients with long-term needs." Big oil and big pharma colluding to cause liver damage on the basis that it's barely an analgesic and doesn't interact with most other drugs.

I have seen articles like this over the past few years. When will it be put into widespread use?

Lots of folks like to talk about collapse. There are movies made about the different ways it might happen.

I want to see one in the very conceivable world where bacteria evolve to eat plastic. All plastic. Rapidly.

What would all the plastic turning to dust before we're ready for it do to the world?

Buildings collapsing or no longer being weather proof. Cars failing. Most of the electrical grid is down because the insulation sloughed off all the wires. Everything mechanical seizes up because the synthetic lubricants are so similar to plastic they are consumed too. Hospitals and sterilization are impossible.

Tylenol?

One of the least useful drugs out there, it's effectiveness at relieving pain is questionable, at best, and is one of the leading overdose meds.