Scientists discover that fungi can effectively break down plastic

[Zeedox]

Scientists discover that fungi can effectively break down plastic | Boing Boing

ABC News Australia recently reported that scientists from the University of Sydney have discovered that two types of fungi—Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album—are effecti…

boingboing.net

This is an example of technological utopianism—the idea that, as Maize explains, "An easier life in a perfect society is possible, and science is the key to reach it." Against this idea that science will save us, the Plastic Pollution Coalition argues that the real solution to solving our plastic waste problem is to "turn off the plastic tap":

 

[Gomez Adams]

We've got bacteria that can do it too.

Problem is we produce the waste faster than they can break it down.

 

[Zeedox]

Remember my fiction idea in the climate change thread about the planet with buildings but no plastics? Did I tell you I figured out the ending?
Once the explorers realize the problem with the first crew they work around it to check out the plastic-less planet's history. They find a metal plaque with the planets name - Earth...

 

[Gomez Adams]

Slick. That would work nicely.