Team:Imperial College
From 2013.igem.org
Accumulation of waste represents a considerable problem to humanity. Over the next 50 years, the global communit
Non-recyclable waste is sourced from a recycling
centre, placed in a bioreactor with our M.A.P.L.E
system which degrades the waste and synthesises
the bioplastic P(3HB). Plastic Fantastic is a complete P(3HB) bioplastic
recycling platform, where P(3HB) is degraded
into monomeric form and then re-polymerised
back into de novo P(3HB) for future applications. Traditionally, mixed non-recyclable waste is sent to landfill or for incineration, both of which result in environmental damage. The detrimental effects are perpetrated by the plastic degradation into toxic byproducts and the production of greenhouse gases by these processes. We propose to upcycle this mixed waste into the bioplastic poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) to create a closed loop recycling system. Our engineered E. coli will operate within sealed bioreactors. In the future we picture the use of our system in a variety of contexts as part of our M.A.P.L.E. (Modular And Plastic Looping E.coli) system.
Resourceful Waste
Plastic Fantastic
Accumulation of waste represents a considerable problem to humanity. Over the next 50 years, the global community will produce approximately 2 trillion tonnes of waste, or 2.5 times the weight of Mount Everest.
y will produce approximately 2 trillion tonnes of waste, or 2.5 times the weight of Mount Everest.
Traditionally, mixed non-recyclable waste is sent to landfill or for incineration, both of which result in environmental damage. The detrimental effects are perpetrated by the plastic degradation into toxic byproducts and the production of greenhouse gases by these processes. We propose to upcycle this mixed waste into the bioplastic poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) to create a closed loop recycling system. Our engineered E. coli will operate within sealed bioreactors. In the future we picture the use of our system in a variety of contexts as part of our M.A.P.L.E. (Modular And Plastic Looping E.coli) system.
This page gives an overview of our project
Judging criteria.
Main results.