31/07/2025
Scientists have discovered a type of fungus that can break down plastic – and fast.
Aspergillus tubingensis was found in a landfill in Pakistan. What makes it extraordinary? It can break down polyurethane – one of the world’s most stubborn plastics – in a matter of weeks. Normally, this material takes hundreds of years to degrade.
Here’s how it works.
This fungus secretes special enzymes that weaken the chemical bonds in plastic polymers. Once the structure starts breaking down, the fungus essentially digests the material – converting it into simpler, harmless compounds. All this happens on the surface of the plastic, meaning it doesn’t need to be fully buried or shredded to work.
This process is known as mycoremediation – using fungi to break down environmental pollutants. And it’s not just polyurethane.
Other fungi, like Pestalotiopsis microspora from the Amazon rainforest, can even survive entirely on plastic in oxygen-free environments, making them ideal for landfills or even deep-sea cleanup.
Fungal enzymes are now being studied to create industrial-scale solutions – from bioreactors to plastic-degrading sprays.
The hope? A natural, low-cost, and scalable way to reduce the mountains of plastic waste choking our ecosystems.
Read the study:
Khan, Sehroon, et al. “Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis.” Environmental Pollution, vol. 225, Mar. 2017, pp. 469–480. ScienceDirect.
