The brilliance of bacteria (and how they combat waste) | Patricia Aymà Maldonado

Patricia Aymà Maldonado, a biotechnologist and "bacteria trainer," presents her company's innovative approach to producing biodegradable bioplastics from organic waste. She argues that traditional recycling methods are flawed, often requiring more virgin plastic production and not truly addressing plastic pollution. Her company, Venviro, utilizes bacteria to convert agri-food waste, like spent yeast from beer production, into bioplastics that can fully biodegrade without leaving microplastics. Maldonado emphasizes the importance of shifting responsibility to companies to adopt sustainable materials and designs, advocating for consumer action to demand better alternatives and support innovative brands. She hopes to see a future where materials are designed to disappear, with organic waste viewed as a valuable resource.