BIOCLEAN
New BIOtechnologiCaL approaches for biodegrading and promoting the environmEntal biotrAnsformation of syNthetic polymeric materials
The worldwide and EU production of plastics obtained from fossil resources is about
230 and 70 mil ton/y, respectively. About 45% of plastic waste is currently disposed of in
landfills, where it undergoes (photo)degradation with the production of small fragments
which enter the marine environment, where they can exert adverse effects. Innovative
eco-efficient solutions to degrade/detoxify plastics accumulated in landfills, persisting in
composting facilities and in aquatic environments are sought. |
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BIOCLEAN aims at developing innovative, ecoefficient
pilot-scale and/or field validated biotechnological
solutions for degrading (and valorising)
plastic wastes in terrestrial and aquatic
environments. Waste plastics from landfills,
composting facilities, anaerobic digesters and
marine environments have been collected and
characterized, and are being used as source for
the isolation of novel, robust naturally-occurring
plastic-degrading mixed and pure cultures. The
obtained cultures, together with strains from
public culture collections and enzymes, are
being tested for their ability to degrade virgin
and/or physical/chemical-treated polyethylene | (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
and polystyrene (PS) plastics. The cultures that
will show biodegradation activity will be characterized
and then exploited in bio-augmentation/
biostimulation strategies for enhancing biodegradation
of plastic wastes. The processes
and strategies developed at the pilot scale will
be assessed for their effectiveness and economical
sustainability, validated via field trials
and preliminary exploited in the formulation of
measures for mitigating plastic pollution in the
Aegean Sea as a case study. These new processes
and solutions would remarkably contribute
to a) the eco-efficient safe disposal of |
plastic waste currently accumulating in landfills,
b) intensify the mineralization of those entering
terrestrial waste treating facilities and aquatic
environments and c) support the EU Member
States to take the necessary measures to
achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status
in the marine environment by the year 2020,
according to the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (MSFD). The novel pilot and field-scale
validated treatments and strategies as well as
the microbes/enzymes obtained and characterized
in the project can deserve patenting and
dedicated market opportunities. |
BIOCLEAN includes 18 partners from 9 different
EU Countries and 1 from China. The
Consortium includes Universities (6), Research
Institutes (4), SMEs (7), a multimunicipality and
the Association of European plastic producers
(PlasticsEurope). Such a membership was formulated
to encompass the broad range of complementary
RTD expertise and facilities required
(that no single Member State could have provided)
and to promote the establishment of
a common scientific background, methods and
measures in the sector of save plastic disposal
and marine litter. |
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