Bacteria potential plastic solution

TAMPA, Florida - Scientists in the US and Britain have accidentally engineered an enzyme which can digest some of the most commonly polluting plastics, providing a potential solution to one of the world's biggest environmental problems.

More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans each year, say researchers, and concern is mounting over the petroleum-derived product's toxic legacy on the environment.

Despite recycling efforts, most plastic can persist for hundreds of years in the environment, so researchers are searching for better ways to eliminate it.