Scientists find germ that consumes hospital plastic

While plastic-eating microbes could help tackle global waste, their presence in hospitals raises new concerns about medical safety and infection risks

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Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and recent discoveries suggest that some of the smallest organisms in nature may offer a surprising way forward.

Microbiologists have identified bacteria capable of breaking down various types of plastic, raising hopes for more sustainable waste solutions. However, these plastic-degrading microbes could also present new problems—particularly in medical settings.

Researchers have investigated whether bacteria commonly found in hospitals might be able to break down plastic materials used in medical devices. Plastics are widespread in healthcare environments, forming the basis of items such as dissolvable sutures, wound dressings, catheters, and implants.