REFLECTION ON THE TOPIC: Degradation of PET plastics with engineered environmental
bacteria
The development of bacteria like ideonella sakalensis capable of breaking down polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) represent a paradigm shift in our approach to plastic pollution. Instead of
merely arranging waste, we are moving towards biologically recycling it.
IMPACT OF PET PLASTICS AND POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN
NIGERIA
1. Pr oduction and consum ption : Nigeria generates at least 2.3 millions tonnes of
plastic waste. The “Sechart water” culture alone is estimated to generate millions of
single use packs only.
2. Recycling rate: Formal recycling rates are low, estimated to be between 10-15%.
Recycling include largely informal, recycling on waste pickup manually from the
dumpsite
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF (PET) PLASTICS IN NIGERIA
1. Clogged drainage and flooding
2. Water pollution
3. Land degradation
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENGINEERED B ACTERIA IN
NIGERIA
Positive impacts
1. Water volume reduction
2. Creation of circular economy
3. Pollution cleanup
4. Economics incentive for collection
Negative impacts
1. Uncontrolled release and ecological eruption
2. Incomplete degradation
3. Distraction from core issue
4. High technological and energy cost
THE NEXT STEP TO MAK ING THE COMMON PRACTISE
bacteria
The development of bacteria like ideonella sakalensis capable of breaking down polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) represent a paradigm shift in our approach to plastic pollution. Instead of
merely arranging waste, we are moving towards biologically recycling it.
IMPACT OF PET PLASTICS AND POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN
NIGERIA
1. Pr oduction and consum ption : Nigeria generates at least 2.3 millions tonnes of
plastic waste. The “Sechart water” culture alone is estimated to generate millions of
single use packs only.
2. Recycling rate: Formal recycling rates are low, estimated to be between 10-15%.
Recycling include largely informal, recycling on waste pickup manually from the
dumpsite
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF (PET) PLASTICS IN NIGERIA
1. Clogged drainage and flooding
2. Water pollution
3. Land degradation
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENGINEERED B ACTERIA IN
NIGERIA
Positive impacts
1. Water volume reduction
2. Creation of circular economy
3. Pollution cleanup
4. Economics incentive for collection
Negative impacts
1. Uncontrolled release and ecological eruption
2. Incomplete degradation
3. Distraction from core issue
4. High technological and energy cost
THE NEXT STEP TO MAK ING THE COMMON PRACTISE
