Regular plastics are truly broken down over the long term by environmental bacteria. "Degradation and metabolism of synthetic plastics and associated products

Regular plastics are truly broken down over the long term by environmental bacteria. "Degradation and metabolism of synthetic plastics and associated products by Pseudomonas sp.: capabilities and challenges" https://enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jam.13472 https://enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf... Long-term exposure to sunlight and physical abrasion contributes to the formation of microplastics (<5 mm). Microplastics can be degraded further by microorganisms. Consequently, biological degradation and subsequent metabolism have the potential to eliminate plastics from contaminated environments. ... With respect to plastic degradation, the species of the genus Pseudomonas are amongst the most cited degraders of various extents for a wide range of plastic polymers. Complete biologically mediated elimination of plastic polymers first requires breakdown of the polymer into smaller oligomers and, eventually, monomers that can pass through the cell membrane followed by assimilation and subsequent intracellular metabolism. Here, we present a review of the capabilities of species of the genus Pseudomonas to degrade and metabolize synthetic plastics.