Study suggests bacteria in cow’s stomach can break down plastic

Scientists find micro-organisms from the bovine stomach have ability to degrade polyesters in lab setting

Bacteria found in one of the compartments of a cow's stomach can break down plastic, research suggests.

Since the 1950s, more than 8bn tonnes of plastic have been produced - equivalent in weight to 1 billion elephants - driven predominantly by packaging, single-use containers, wrapping and bottles. As a result, plastic pollution is all-pervasive, in the water and in the air, with people unwittingly consuming and breathing microplastic particles. In recent years, researchers have been working on harnessing the ability of tiny microscopic bugs to break down the stubborn material.