Plastic pollution and global hunger are two massive challenges facing the modern world. Millions of tons of discarded bottles sit in landfills, while changing climates make it harder to grow enough crops. Now, scientists are searching for a way to solve both problems at the same time.
Indeed, a research team at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has developed a method to break down plastic into protein. This technology could eventually provide nutritious food in resource-limited environments.
In the gallery, we delve into how these researchers turn everyday trash into an entirely new kind of sustainable food. Click on to learn more.