07/09/2025
Scientists have discovered a fungus that can break down plastic – really fast.
Found in a landfill in Pakistan, Aspergillus tubingensis has an extraordinary ability: it can degrade polyurethane – one of the toughest plastics on Earth – in just a few weeks. For comparison, that same material normally takes centuries to break down.
So how does it work?
The fungus secretes enzymes that weaken the plastic’s chemical bonds. As the structure starts to fall apart, the fungus digests it, converting the material into simpler, non-toxic compounds. And it all happens on the surface – no need to shred or bury the plastic first.
This approach, known as mycoremediation, uses fungi to break down environmental pollutants. And Aspergillus isn’t the only one.
Another species, Pestalotiopsis microspora, discovered in the Amazon rainforest, can survive entirely on plastic – even in oxygen-starved environments. That makes it a potential game-changer for cleaning up landfills, oceans, or deep-sea waste.
Now, scientists are studying how to scale these enzymes for real-world use – including bioreactors, enzyme-infused coatings, and even plastic-eating sprays.
The goal? A low-cost, biological solution to the world’s plastic crisis – one that works not in centuries, but in weeks.
Read the study:
Khan, Sehroon, et al. “Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis.” Environmental Pollution, vol. 225, Mar. 2017, pp. 469–480. ScienceDirect.