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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Helena Horton Environment reporter

Microbes discovered that can digest plastics at low temperatures

A pile of plastic bottles at a rubbish dump in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand.
A pile of plastic bottles at a rubbish dump in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA

Microbes that can digest plastics at low temperatures have been discovered by scientists in the Alps and the Arctic, which could be a valuable tool in recycling.

Many microorganisms that can do this have already been found, but they can usually only work at temperatures above 30C (86F). This means that using them in industrial practice is prohibitively expensive because of the heating required. It also means using them is not carbon neutral.

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