The Summary

In recent years, the issue of plastic pollution has become an overwhelming global crisis. Only 5% of all plastics are recycled and the rest ends up in landfills or oceans. When looking for a solution to this problem, the Design Thinking methodology learned at the Berkeley Program was applied. In the engagement with recycling stakeholders, the OLS SynBio team discovered that the issue is not the recycling of plastic, but instead the inefficient sorting of these plastics.

To further understand this issue, the team participated in many community outreach events. OLS Synbio consulted with Simon Robbins, the corporate manager of a local recycling plant, who provided guidance and insight of how the recycling cycle works. OLS SynBio also met with Peter Duck, the zero waste manager for the town of Canmore. Lastly, the team went to the Alberta Recycling Conference to learn more about how plastics are recycled in the community, and how big the team’s contribution would be. Stakeholder feedback helped to pivot and refine the project.

Some members of our team at the Canmore Sorting Facility.

The Subtitle

The project will use synthetic biology to create a novel fusion protein that can specifically bio-tag polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, so that it can be sorted and recycled correctly. The project involves two proteins, a polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) and a hydrophobin called BsIA, that is produced by a bacterium chassis called Bacillus subtilis. The PETase protein naturally binds to PET and would be paired with a red fluorescent protein called mCherry to visually indicate when the protein has adhered. The hydrophobin is “water-fearing”, therefore it will bind to anything, but for this project, it will help to adhere the PETase specifically to PET plastic. The project plan is to experiment with the use of both proteins, together and independently. If successful, the bio-tag would be proof of concept for a novel technology that can be implement easily in existing recycling facilities.

Before incorporating it into the recycling facility, the protein would be isolated and purified, and the team will run numerous proof-of-concept assays. The next step in the project is prototyping. The team has explored a prototype which would use a streamlined linear process that involves both existing technology and new robotics to effectively sort plastics. Early business modelling suggests that this project is desirable by people, feasible with technology and viable as a business.

In summary, the OLS SynBio team is creating a novel protein bio-tag that will adhere selectively to PET plastics. This product has the potential to revolutionize the recycling industry, and reduce the current practice of landfilling poorly sorted plastics. This will create a truly circular life cycle for plastic products.