Earth Day 2022: Tackling the Plastic Crisis with Innovative Recycling Technologies

🌍Over the past 60 years, approximately 7 billion tons of plastic have been produced, with only around 10% being recycled.

🔬Carbios, a French biotechnology startup, has developed a method of recycling plastic using enzymes, which can break down polyethylene and transform it into a new product.

🔄Carbios' innovative recycling technology allows for multiple rounds of recycling in a closed loop, extending the lifespan of plastic and reducing the need for virgin plastic production.

💡The enzyme-based recycling process developed by Carbios has the potential to recycle materials that are currently poorly or not recycled, such as multi-layer food packaging and polyester fiber.

🌱While recycling is important, addressing the root cause of the plastic pollution crisis requires investing in reuse solutions and transitioning to a zero-waste model.

How much plastic waste is recycled?

—Only around 10% of the approximately 7 billion tons of plastic produced over the past 60 years has been recycled.

How does Carbios' recycling method work?

—Carbios uses enzymes to break down polyethylene, a common type of plastic, into its base components, which can then be reassembled into new products.

What are the advantages of Carbios' recycling technology?

—Carbios' innovative recycling technology allows for multiple rounds of recycling, reduces the need for virgin plastic production, and can recycle materials that are currently poorly or not recycled.

What types of plastic can Carbios' technology recycle?

—Carbios' technology can recycle various types of plastic, including polyethylene, multi-layer food packaging, and polyester fiber.

What is the long-term solution to the plastic pollution crisis?

—While recycling is important, addressing the root cause of the plastic pollution crisis requires investing in reuse solutions and transitioning to a zero-waste model.

00:00Today, on Earth Day 2022, we delve into the pressing issue of plastic pollution and the need for innovative recycling technologies.

00:10Approximately 7 billion tons of plastic have been produced over the past 60 years, with only around 10% being recycled.

00:54Carbios, a French biotechnology startup, has developed a groundbreaking method of recycling plastic using enzymes, which can break down polyethylene and transform it into a new product.

02:38Carbios' innovative recycling technology allows for multiple rounds of recycling in a closed loop, extending the lifespan of plastic and reducing the need for virgin plastic production.

03:58Carbios' technology has the potential to recycle materials that are currently poorly or not recycled, such as multi-layer food packaging and polyester fiber.

05:30While recycling is important, addressing the root cause of the plastic pollution crisis requires investing in reuse solutions and transitioning to a zero-waste model.

06:52Leaders are convening to negotiate a global Plastics Treaty, which will explore better product design and improved recycling practices.