Scientists have developed a method using E. coli bacteria to transform plastic waste into a widely used painkiller, according to a study published on Monday.
However, some experts have questioned whether this approach can effectively address the global plastic pollution crisis.
Paracetamol, one of the world’s most commonly consumed medications, is typically produced using fossil fuel derivatives. These processes, often carried out by subcontractors in Asia, are both polluting and contribute to climate change.
At the same time, the planet faces a worsening crisis of plastic pollution. International negotiations are scheduled for August as countries attempt to reach a global treaty aimed at reducing plastic waste.
A British team of researchers sought to address both issues by introducing a third element: E. coli, the bacterium better known for causing foodborne illnesses. The scientists used a molecule derived from PET plastic—commonly found in bottles and packaging—to initiate a chemical reaction within a genetically modified strain of E. coli.
This process produced a molecule known as PABA, according to the study published in Nature Chemistry and partly funded by pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. The modified bacteria were then able to convert PABA into acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol.
“This work demonstrates that PET plastic isn’t just waste or a material destined to become more plastic—it can be transformed by microorganisms into valuable new products, including those with potential for treating disease,” lead author Stephen Wallace said in a statement.
Independent experts from Singapore praised the study for its innovative blend of synthetic and biological chemistry. However, they cautioned in a linked commentary that significant hurdles remain before the technique could be applied on an industrial scale.
The amount of PABA produced through the process, for example, may not be sufficient for commercial applications, they noted.
Melissa Valliant, communications director for the US-based Beyond Plastics project at Bennington College, voiced scepticism about the discovery’s practical impact.
“Every few months, we hear about a new ‘plastic-eating bacteria,’ but none have scaled up to make a meaningful dent in the plastic pollution crisis,” she told AFP.
She argued that addressing the crisis requires action at the source: “Companies and policymakers must reduce the amount of plastic being produced and used in the first place.”
