Plastics embedded with enzymes degrade readily in the sea

Embedding enzymes that break down ester bonds into compostable polyesters enables rapid and complete biodegradation even in microbe-scarce environments. This method is effective in marine sites ranging from coastal sea water to the deep sea, and could therefore contribute towards solving the global plastic pollution problem. Polyesters containing ester-bond-breaking enzymes could help to reduce plastic pollution in marine environments.