Abstract 1446 Towards reCYPlable PE plastic: identification of a PE-degrading enzyme from a environmentally isolated bacterial consortium

Plastic pollution is one of the most monumental problems facing earth's ecosystems today. In 2022, only 5% of plastic recycled in the U.S.was Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). It is a common plastic, which is typically found in plastic bags, cling wrap, condiment bottles, and other sources. Many recycling centers do not accept flimsy plastic materials (including LDPE) due to the time and financial burden of recycling it. In 2017, the Mellies Lab identified a consortium of 5 bacteria that was shown to degrade plastic, specifically Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic.