Plastic takes

1000 years to
decompose
Current methods:

● Nets

● Beach clean ups

● Recycling

● Plastic alternatives

(metal, plant products)

OUR GOAL
Reduce the negative effects
of disposable plastic pollution
by using biotechnology
techniques
Sphingomonas
● Sphingomonas
bacteria break down
polyaspartic acid

● They use it as a source

of carbon and
hydrogen
Chemical Structure of Poly
Aspartic Acid
Chemical Structure of Basic plastic
polymer
● The bacteria is able to
break polymer down
into monomers
● Wouldn’t negatively
affect bacteria
● Bacteria can’t tell
difference between
the two
Limitations
Will not be as
effective on
durable plastics.
Their chemical
structures are
much more
complicated.
● Could potentially
reduce disposable
plastic decomposition
from 1000 years to 3
● More research and
genetic engineering
could lead to more
effective methods
Thank
you!