Enzyme mediated plastics are not bioplastics (see definition of Bioplastics). Instead, a conventional non-biodegradable plastic (i.e., fossil-based PE) is enriched with small amounts of an organic additive. Microorganisms are supposed to consume these additives by expanding the degradation process to the non-biodegradable PE, thus making the material degrade. After some time, the plastic is supposed to basally disappear and to be completely converted into carbon dioxide and water. This is a theoretical concept, which has yet to be backed up by any verifiable proof. Producers promote enzyme-mediated plastics as a solution to littering. Yet, since no proof for the degradation process has been provided, the environmentally beneficial effects are highly questionable.
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