The smallest solution to one of our biggest problems – Tierney Thys & Christian Sardet

Explore the possibility that plastivores, organisms capable of eating and breaking down plastic, could help reduce plastic waste on Earth.

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Every year, humanity produces around 400 million tonnes of plastic, 80% of which is thrown into waste. Of this plastic waste, only a tenth is recycled. 60% is incinerated or sent to landfills, and 30% escapes into the environment. Fortunately, there are microbes capable of tackling this growing problem. Tierney Thys and Christian Sardet explore the future of recycling.

Lesson by Tierney Thys and Christian Sardet, directed by Elsa Esteban.

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See the full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/meet-the-microbes-that-could-eat-your-trash-tierney-thys-and-christian-sardet
Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/meet-the-microbes-that-could-eat-your-trash-tierney-thys-and-christian-sardet#digdeeper

Host website: https://www.elsaesteban.com
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