Scientists have recently discovered that a mushroom called, Pestalotipsis Microspora, is capable of eating plastic. It contains a chemical that breaks down polyurethane, the key ingredient in plastic. This could be used to clear out landfills. Thoughts?

Not everywhere sequesters plastic from landfills. The plastic that does make its way to the landfill will be there for a long long time, in which case said mushroom/plastic digesting organisms would be helpful.

The release of co2 from plastic breakdown would be a necessity and not outrageous. Our forests release megatons of co2 from decomposition and forest fires yearly. Co2 release from plastic is inevitable. I wouldn't say plastic in the open environment is a bigger problem, just a more immediate problem. For instance the floating plastic in the ocean has wandered into the public eye, but what about plastics that don't float? The dwell time of plasticizers in the deep ocean, where aqua inversions trap chemicals for millennia, are a scary problem as they will continue to collect toxins and eventually become released one way or another.

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